Nick Campton and Tim Williams yarn about Origin III, Campo’s player ratings and what’s next in the NRL in this week’s edition of the League Central podcast.
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CANBERRA have slammed the NRL’s decision to overrule the Raiders’ penalty for fullback Jack Wighton — rolling rugby league coverage.
THE Canberra Raiders are unlikely to respond to the NRL’s decision to impose a 10-week suspension and a $30,000 fine on fullback Jack Wighton for his involvement in a pre-season incident.
The Raiders were fuming on Friday, accusing the NRL of “coming over the top” of the club’s original six-week ban on Wighton. STAYING: Brisbane poised to keep Su’A PREMIERSHIP: Why the top eight isn’t locked in yet In a strong statement, Raiders chairman Dr Allan Hawke said the club was upset NRL’s choice to extend Wighton’s club imposed suspension. LISTEN: Nick Campton and Tim Williams break down Origin one more time, look ahead to the race to the finals and argue over Campo’s player ratings. Subscribe to the League Central podcast on iTunes Despite Canberra’s initial stance, an NRL spokesman said video footage showed the conduct warranted a stronger penalty. The NRL have given Wighton five days to respond to the proposed penalty, but at this stage the Raiders don’t feel it’s nesseasary to reply. Hawke labelled the NRL’s choice to empower the club before going over their head as both confusing and contradictory. “We’re disappointed to learn the NRL does not agree with this punishment and feel they have to come over the top and add a further four weeks and a monetary fine to the penalty,” Hawke said. “This penalty is excessive, as Jack still has to face further penalties imposed by the ACT Magistrate and Galambany Courts. “We are perplexed as to why the NRL felt the need to impose further punishment before this process was concluded and it sets an extraordinary precedent to the way matters are handled by clubs in the future. “In light of this, it appears clubs don’t really have a role in imposing penalties on their own employees, so perhaps it’s time for the NRL and its Integrity Unit to decide these matters, so that there will be a consistent approach for future offences. “But after reviewing all of the facts surrounding this incident we firmly stand by our decision and the punishment handed down by the club. “We will continue to support Jack in his rehabilitation.” It’s understood Canberra didn’t originally fine Wighton due to his ongoing court case, which is set to be finalised in November. The Raiders also handed the fullback a six-week suspension with his mental health an important factor. In addition, Canberra have previously made admirable decisions to part ways with misbehaving players like Blake Ferguson, Josh Dugan and Todd Carney. All these factors, led to the Raiders making their feelings towards the NRL crystal clear. Wighton, who has already been stood down by the Raiders for two weeks, will be ineligible to play until the end of Round 25. He has pleaded guilty to five counts of assault and one of public urination and will return to the ACT Magistrates Court for sentencing in November.
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RAIDERS SLAM NRL OVER ‘EXCESSIVE’ WIGHTON BAN
Canberra have slammed the NRL’s decision to overrule the Raiders’ penalty for fullback Jack Wighton, who has pleaded guilty to five assault charges from a night out.
The Raiders proposed a six-week ban for the 25-year-old on Monday, but the NRL deemed the penalty to be not harsh enough and has ensured Wighton won’t play again during the regular season.
Raiders chairman Allan Hawke has slammed the NRL’s treatment of the situation, calling their ban “excessive” as Wighton still faces sentencing in November.
“After reviewing all of the facts surrounding this incident we firmly stand by our decision and the punishment handed down by the club,” Hawke said.
“We’re disappointed to learn the NRL does not agree with this punishment and feel they have to come over the top and add a further four weeks and a monetary fine (of $30,000) to the penalty.
“We are perplexed as to why the NRL felt the need to impose further punishment before this process was concluded and it sets an extraordinary precedent to the way matters are handled by clubs in the future.
“In light of this, it appears clubs don’t really have a role in imposing penalties on their own employees, so perhaps it’s time for the NRL and its Integrity Unit to decide these matters, so that there will be a consistent approach for future offences.”
Wighton has five days to appeal the penalty.
– AAP
The @RaidersCanberra have gone whack over Jack Wighton punishment. They believe the @NRL have ignored the judgement of the club's board and wasted club's time in originally asking them to dish out their own punishment. @telegraph_sport pic.twitter.com/VolRvRkJoV
— David Riccio (@DaveRic1) July 13, 2018
MORE: RAIDERS REPLY TO NRL’S JACK WIGHTON BAN
Media release from Canberra Raiders:
The Canberra Raiders have the following statement to make regarding the NRL’s decision to extend Jack Wighton’s Club imposed suspension.
“After reviewing all of the facts surrounding this incident we firmly stand by our decision and the punishment handed down by the Club,” Raiders Chairman Dr Allan Hawke AC said.
“We’re disappointed to learn the NRL does not agree with this punishment and feel they have to come over the top and add a further four weeks and a monetary fine to the penalty.
“This penalty is excessive, as Jack still has to face further penalties imposed by the ACT Magistrate and Galambany Courts. We are perplexed as to why the NRL felt the need to impose further punishment before this process was concluded and it sets an extraordinary precedent to the way matters are handled by Clubs in the future.”
“In light of this, it appears Clubs don’t really have a role in imposing penalties on their own employees, so perhaps it’s time for the NRL and its Integrity Unit to decide these matters, so that there will be a consistent approach for future offences.”
“We will continue to support Jack in his rehabilitation,” Dr Hawke concluded.
RAIDERS’ WIGHTON BANNED, FINED BY NRL
Just in from the NRL – full media release:
The NRL has suspended Canberra fullback Jack Wighton for 10 weeks and imposed a fine of $30,000 for his involvement in a pre-season incident.
Wighton, who has already been stood down by the Raiders for two weeks, will be ineligible to play until the end of Round 25.
He has pleaded guilty to five counts of assault and one of public urination and will return to the ACT Magistrates Court for sentencing in November.
The Raiders suspended him for six weeks but an NRL spokesman said video footage showed the conduct warranted a stronger penalty.
Wighton will have five days to respond to the proposed penalty.
DCE SURGES BACK INTO KANGAROOS FRAME
Daly Cherry-Evans was on the representative outer until last week but the Manly captain could soon find himself in an Australian jersey to go with his Queensland one.
Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga has heaped praise on the halfback following his sensational comeback to the Maroons side in their 18-12 game three win against NSW.
Cherry-Evans hadn’t played for Queensland since 2015 before Wednesday night following speculation the playmaker had fallen out with the Maroons. His last Australian cap came even before that – in 2014, when the Kangaroos lost the Four Nations final to New Zealand.
But with his run of form and the representative retirements of Johnathan Thurston and Cooper Cronk, he’s bolted into the frame for the Kangaroos’ end-of- year Test against New Zealand.
When asked if Cherry-Evans’ Origin performance could see him back in the Australian team, Meninga said: “Absolutely”.
“It depends now on club form and Manly won’t make the final eight, I wouldn’t think,” he said in Canberra on Friday.
“But it puts him in the forefront, there’s no doubt about that.” Meninga said Cherry Evans’ game was “fantastic” and believed his efforts were the difference in tiring out the Blues’ defence.
“I thought (Cherry-Evans’) control was excellent, his management was excellent and his kicking game was the best I’ve seen from anyone at that level for a long, long time,” Meninga said.
Cherry-Evans will likely battle it out with Maroons teammate Cameron Munster and Penrith’s James Maloney for a starting spot in the halves.
– AAP
HODGSON SAYS RAIDERS WERE ‘HUMBLE’ AFTER DOGS WIN
Canberra star Josh Hodgson has backed the response of Raiders players after their dramatic victory over Canterbury last week.
Centre Jospeh Leilua received some criticism for the way he celebrated the match-winning try against the Bulldogs as the Raiders pulled off an extraordinary comeback.
But Hodgson says the Raiders carried themselves in a good manner and it won’t affect them leading into Saturday night’s clash with North Queensland at GIO Stadium.
“There was a lot of media around BJ (Leilua) and the response and that’s kind’ve heat of the moment.
“I thought the response by the boys afterwards was classy.
“We all got in a group and spoke that we’d been in the Dogs’ situation many times and that was important that we be humble and not to rub it in their face.”
The English hooker will play in front of Canberra fans for the first time since returning from ACL surgery in round 15.
The Raiders have had three away games in a row and will be on the road for another three after playing the Cowboys as they look to stay in the finals race. Despite North Queensland languishing near the bottom of the ladder, Hodgson knows how desperate they will be.
The Cowboys’ State of Origin players Gavin Cooper and Coen Hess have been named while prop John Asiata slots back in after recovering from a pectoral injury. The Raiders’ only Origin representative Josh Papalii will back up after playing for Queensland on Wednesday night.
“They’ll (Cowboys) want to send ‘JT’ (Johnathan Thurston) off as best they can and they’ll be hoping to hit a bit of form in the back end of the year,” Hodgson said.
“We were very ordinary last week (despite winning) and we’ll have to improve.” The Raiders’ task will be made more difficult with replacement fullback Brad Abbey, who deputised for the suspended Jack Wighton, out with concussion.
It means star winger Nick Cotric shifts to fullback but New Zealand international Jordan Rapana is back in the No.5 jersey after a hamstring injury.
Gold Coast-bound prop Shannon Boyd (calf) and Joseph Tapine (suspension) will also miss the match.
The Raiders beat the Cowboys in Townsville for the first time since 2006 in round eight, while Paul Green’s team were victorious in Canberra 31-18 last season.
STATS THAT MATTER
– North Queensland have won 14 of their past 20 games against Canberra, dating back to 2007.
– The Raiders’ past two matches at home have both been decided by a single point, beating Manly in round 12 and losing to Penrith two weeks later.
– Canberra winger Nick Cotric has scored at least one try in his past eight matches and is aiming to become just the second Raiders player to cross for a four-pointer in nine successive games.
– Oliver Caffrey
SLATER: VAL’S (OTHER) INTERCEPT WAS THE DIFFERENCE
It was the Valentine Holmes intercept that Billy Slater reckons proved the difference in Queensland’s 18-12 State of Origin III win over NSW at Suncorp Stadium.
But the Maroons stand-in skipper wasn’t talking about two-try hero Holmes’ stunning 95m first half effort.
Queensland winger Holmes brought the near sell-out crowd to their feet when he swooped on a James Tedesco pass and ran almost the length of the field to give the hosts a 6-0 lead in the 11th minute on Wednesday night.
It provided the Maroons the early momentum they needed as they went on to deny the Blues their first series whitewash in 18 years.
It was a hard act to follow but Slater reckons Holmes pulled it off with another stunning catch.
With four minutes left, the Blues looked set to crack Queensland’s line and send the game into extra-time – only for Holmes to snuff out the attack by diving full stretch to intercept the NSW ball.
“There were some big moments,” said Slater after his 31st and final Origin.
“We were all out on our feet. I don’t think I was even in position. For him to come up with that ball … they are big plays.
“We had a lot of moments in our team and we won those moments – that’s what Origin is all about.” Holmes took his Origin try scoring knack to record breaking levels on Wednesday night.
He has now scored seven tries in his first five Origin matches. Holmes is only the second player in Origin history to score in five straight games behind Dale Shearer (1986-87).
He has the most Origin tries after five games, with the previous record standing at five tries held by Dane Gagai, Israel Folau and Greg Inglis. Holmes also backed up with goal-kicking duties on Wednesday night, slotting home three from four.
“I felt for him after scoring the length of the field intercept when he had to kick that goal but gee, he can run can’t he?” Queensland coach Kevin Walters said.
“He’s another guy who has really stood up, another youngster coming along who does belong in this arena.”
– Laine Clark
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— Canberra Raiders (@RaidersCanberra) 13 July 2018