‘I’ve robbed Dom’: Manly forward’s emotional apology after ‘robbing’ Dominic Young of Las Vegas dream

Manly forward Toafofoa Sipley revealed his desire to issue Dom Young a face-to-face apology after his crusher tackle ended the Roosters star’s Las Vegas dream. Read the full apology.

Toafofoa Sipley. Picture: Jason McCawley/Getty Images

Upset Manly forward Toafofoa Sipley has issued an emotional apology for causing the neck injury which has robbed Sydney Roosters star Dominic Young of a trip to Las Vegas.

“I am truly sorry – it was honestly an accident,” Sipley said.

Sipley, 29, has pleaded guilty to the crusher tackle on Young and been suspended for three games, which means he will also miss the NRL’s historic season-opening double header.

Young walked from the field on Saturday in Gosford but was later taken to hospital where additional MRI and X-rays have forced him out of the Roosters side to play Brisbane.

He may require surgery for ligament damage in his neck.

“I truly am sorry about what happened to Dom,” Sipley said. “It’s so unfortunate. There was no intent and it was an accident.

“Obviously, I’ve robbed Dom — and me — of a game in Vegas, which is really unfortunate. It’s definitely something I am trying to get out of my game (by working) with Jimmy Dymock, our wrestling coach.

Dominic Young leaves the field. Picture: Gregg Porteous/NRL

Dom Young in a neck

“It was honestly an accident. It probably doesn’t help my case because it has happened to me a couple of times in the past.

“I was really apologetic after the game to Dom Young. Even when I got off (the field) after my stint, I went straight to their changing room to go look for him and apologise.

“I know next time, whenever I talk to him, whenever it is, I will definitely say it face-to-face.

“I even tried reaching out on Instagram but I think I’m stuck in his message requests. I wanted to apologise further but I’m probably the last person he would want to hear from.

“I know a lot of the boys are close to Dom. Jason Saab even messaged him.”

Sipley wasn’t excusing his crusher but did reveal the technique difficulties in tackling.

“I don’t go into any game with the intent to injure someone. Footy happens at a thousand miles an hour – it was just one of those unfortunate ones,” he said.

“I learned at a young age, footy is a game of angles. You never know what way you’re going to go in. That’s how footy is.

“I’m not trying to justify what’s happened because I feel bad. But you can’t control certain positions you get into and I just found myself in an unfortunate angle with Dom and he, unfortunately, he has come out of it injured.

“Injuries are definitely the unfortunate side of rugby league.

“Hopefully he’s not off the field for too long because he is an exciting player and the Roosters, they’ve got him over from the Knights, will want to see him playing in the tricolours. I wish all the best for his rehab.”

Sipley’s tackle drew backlash from social media followers.

“I’m 29 years old,” he said. “I’ve grown up and am old enough to filter things like that. You take on board what’s good for you and you don’t focus on what’s not good.

“It’s part and parcel (of playing NRL). It goes to show how passionate fans are. I have copped a few messages.”

The Roosters hope Young will return in the early rounds of the NRL.

“Young has sustained a soft tissue injury to his neck and will be treated conservatively by the Roosters medical team,” the Roosters said in a statement.