Sam Burgess ban: NRL defends Russell Packer decision following Rabbitohs star’s ban
A DAY after Souths fans were left outraged by Sam Burgess’ two-match ban, the NRL has explained why Russell Packer escaped sanction for what appeared to be a similar elbowing incident.
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A DAY after South Sydney fans were left outraged by Sam Burgess’ two-match ban for dangerous contact, the NRL explained why Russell Packer escaped sanction for what appeared to be a similar elbowing incident that left a rival player heavily concussed.
Burgess will miss Friday night’s showdown with fellow Englishman James Graham and the St George-Illawarra Dragons and next Thursday’s derby against the Sydney Roosters after being found guilty at the judiciary for his elbow to the throat of Canterbury’s Josh Morris.
Had Burgess not been charged twice for non-similar incidents in recent seasons, he could have avoided missing any game time with an early guilty plea.
Wests Tigers enforcer Packer charged the ball up on Easter Monday and collected Parramatta’s Kaysa Pritchard in the head, which ended the little hooker’s afternoon.
Replays appeared to show Packer’s elbow coming into contact with Pritchard’s head, but no action was taken.
Souths fans demanded where was the consistency between the two hit-ups, especially after their best forward gambled at the judiciary and lost.
But match review committee co-ordinator Michael Buettner told The Daily Telegraph of the two incidents: “In the Sam Burgess case, he raised his elbow/forearm in the direction of the defending player, making dangerous contact to the neck/throat of Josh Morris.
“There was an unacceptable risk of injury involved, and his actions were considered careless.
“Russell Packer was not raising his forearm, he was bracing. In fact, it was the non ball-carrying arm _ or the arm furthest away from the defender _ which made contact with the defender. It was also tucked into his body.
“It was also noted that he was also effectively ricocheted into the Parramatta defender following initial contact from another player, and his actions weren’t deemed careless, reckless or intentional.’’
Burgess going head to head with Graham at a packed Kogarah would have been a Friday night highlight as the Dragons try to make it five wins on the trot and the Bunnies chase a third straight win.
Tom Burgess was yesterday still backing the Souths pack to aim up against the Dragons without his famous brother.
Like Graham, Burgess felt the confidence gained playing for the Poms at the World Cup had continued back in clubland.
Graham has been inspirational since being forced out of Canterbury and signing on with the Dragons.
“He leads by example, people follow him and he’s fit as well,’’ Burgess said of Graham.
“He played well in the World Cup and that breeds confidence. It definitely did for me.
“It’s disappointing (not to have Sam), but we need to move on, they’re tough calls, you roll the dice sometimes and we knew it when going into the (judiciary).
“You need to keep your elbows tucked, that’s one thing I’m aware of, and if you do that you’ll be all right.’’
Burgess did not expect a crackdown on forwards using their forearms to brace for impact.
Sam was disappointed and did not comment after the judiciary on Wednesday, but looked in happier spirits as he trained at Redfern yesterday.
Souths are likely to call on Jason Clark or Kyle Turner as cover for Burgess, while halfback Adam Reynolds returns from a knee injury he suffered in the opening round.
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