NRL Finals Series: Raiders star Josh Hodgson at centre of HIA controversy
Josh Hodgson produced a match-winning 15-minute period immediately after an incident that many thought should have led to concussion protocols being observed. Not surprisingly, Souths are fuming.
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Canberra co-captain Josh Hodgson has defended his failure to leave the field for a head injury assessment in the opening half of his side’s preliminary final win over South Sydney.
Rabbitohs officials are believed to be privately seething over the incident, which allowed Hodgson to turn the game for the Raiders.
The Canberra No.9 reeled out of a tackle on Rabbitohs prop Liam Knight and appeared to stumble before taking his place back into the defensive line.
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Commentators questioned why Hodgson was not taken from the field for a head injury assessment and the NRL will review the incident as part of standard procedure.
Hodgson was rampant in the 15-minute period immediately following the incident - he set up a try for teammate Jarrod Croker.
Hodgson insisted the issue was with his jaw rather than his head.
“I just hurt my jaw a little bit, that’s what I was worried about,” Hodgson said.
“I didn’t get fuzzy or anything like that. I’ve had a head knock before and I know the feeling.
“Luckily it wasn’t anything like that. It was just my jaw and I just needed to move it around and it was all good.
“You can’t lie about those types of things. For one, it’s too dangerous to lie about it.
“And two, you can’t get away with it in this day and age anyway. The doctors look into it and you can’t get away with it anyway.
“I was fine head wise, it was more my jaw. Thankfully there’s no damage.”
Fox Sports commentator Braith Anasta was critical of the failure by officials to assess Hodgson.
”We’re not doctors, but that’s clear as day,” Anasta said.
“He was struggling to get to his feet. He stumbles, falls over, you can’t have rules for some and not others. He should’ve been taken straight off the field.”
The Raiders could be fined should the NRL decide they failed to follow HIA protocols.
Meanwhile, Canberra will find out on Saturday morning whether prop Josh Papalii is charged over a tackle on Adam Doueihi in the second half of the Raiders’ 16-10 win.