NRL 2020: Kevin Proctor sent off for biting Shaun Johnson; Sharks beat Titans 30-18
Titans skipper Kevin Proctor has been referred straight to the judiciary after being sent off for biting Cronulla’s Shaun Johnson, while Adam Reynolds kicked Souths to a last-gasp victory against North Queensland.
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Kevin Proctor may have played his last game in the NRL and despite being bitten by his Kiwi teammate, Shaun Johnson declared “that shouldn’t tarnish (Proctor’s) reputation”.
It was confirmed Sunday morning he would be referred straight to the judiciary over the alleged bite.
Proctor faces a long-term ban if he is charged by the match review committee. In fact it could end his career.
Ex-Bulldogs prop James Graham was whacked with a 12-game ban for biting Billy Slater in the 2012 grand final.
Proctor became the first player sent from the field in premiership history for biting after damning video footage showed the incident clearly in Cronulla’s 30-18 win. Johnson and Proctor shook hands and the Sharks halfback said they “exchanged (friendly) words”.
“What happens on the field stays on the field,” Johnson said.
“I’ve got nothing but love and respect for Kevvie. He has been a terrific player for so long. I know he would be disappointed with how it ended. That shouldn’t tarnish his reputation. That’s all I have to say about it.”
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While Johnson said he “doesn’t see the value of taking it any further than what’s happened” there is little doubt Proctor won’t play again this year and being off-contract he faces an uncertain future, in what was his 250th game.
“We were both heated in the middle of the game ... whatever happened happened and we’re still mates,” Johnson told Fox League.
“I just spoke to him (after the game), it’s his 250th and I didn’t want this to dampen it.
“He’s been a great player for so long ... nothing but respect for him.”
First player in premiership history sent off for biting#NRLSharksTitans #Proctor
— David Middleton (@Middleton_David) August 15, 2020
Titans coach Justin Holbrook was critical of the process to send Proctor off. He stopped short of saying if Proctor, who broke down in the dressing rooms, did or did not bite him.
“I can’t afford the fine,” Holbrook said. “I can’t say a lot. I’m disappointed. I thought we had a chance of winning the game. It came down to one big decision.
“I don’t want to say no (he didn’t bite him). Both players know each other really well. They exchanged words. Kevin wasn’t the one apologising.”
The scores were level at 12-12 before the drama unfolded leading to the Titans leaking three tries in seven minutes. Proctor was carrying the ball and protested Johnson was trying to choke him.
Johnson, who was also battling stomach cramps, made the Titans pay instantly laying on a try to Sione Katoa with their first set with an extra man. Johnson game from the field with a groin injury late in the game which he said was “precautionary”.
Cronulla coach John Morris said “I saw what everyone saw”.
“I can’t go into depth too much,” Morris said. “The bunker felt there was enough evidence to send him off. It was a turning point in the game. The vision I saw, didn’t look great. I’m not going to accuse Kevin of biting but Shaun felt something. He will have a case to answer. I don’t want to be here accusing him of it. He needs his chance of defending himself.”
Sharks skipper Wade Graham, who scored the second in Cronulla’s hot-streak, was placed on report for a high tackle on Keegan Hipgrave.
STARTING FAST
The Titans impressed early, scoring the opening try through Corey Thompson after just five minutes. Ill-discipline cost the Titans and allowed the Sharks back into the game.
Josh Dugan scored Cronulla’s first. The Sharks had the lead midway through the second half when Johnson laid on a try to Siosifa Talakai to lead 12-6.
The Titans struck back with a solo effort through Jarrod Wallace with the final play of the first half to level the scores. The win keeps Cronulla’s spot in the top eight ahead of a blockbuster clash against Penrith on Friday night.
“It wasn’t convincing,” Morris said. “I underestimated how much the game last week took it out on us.”
MORE TITANS WOES
South Sydney bound lock Jai Arrow may have played his final game for the Titans because of a shoulder injury. He fell awkwardly and injured his AC-joint. The Titans also lost centre Dale Copley early in the second half with a torn pectoral.
Josh Dugan failed to finish the game but Morris was confident he would be right to play Penrith.
REYNOLDS KICKS RABBITOHS HOME
SOUTH SYDNEY 31 b NORTH QUEENSLAND 30
By Martin Gabor
Rabbit-man may not be a patented superhero, but Marvel may have found a new moneymaker after Adam Reynolds came up with some outrageously clutch plays to help the Rabbitohs to an improbable 31-30 win over the Cowboys.
A try to Tom Opacic looked to have given North Queensland an upset win with six minutes to go, but Alex Johnston hit back to give the visitors a sniff with his second try of the evening.
Reynolds’ missed conversion from the sideline should have been the end of the contest, but a needless penalty against Kyle Feldt gave the diminutive skipper a second chance from 33 metres out.
“As a kicker, you love those challenges,” he told Fox League after he slotted the penalty before he sealed the stunning win with an ice-cold field goal from the following set.
Their third win on the trot has them just two points behind the wounded Roosters ahead of a very winnable game against the undermanned Sea Eagles next Saturday.
The Cowboys will be kicking themselves for letting this one slip after they outscored the Rabbitohs six tries to five, only to be let down by Feldt, who managed just three goals from seven attempts as they slumped to a seventh-straight loss.
Stand-in coach Josh Hannay was shattered with the result and blasted his troops for squandering what should have been a great win.
“There’s a lesson there on how to throw away the unlosable game,” Hannay said. “There were a number of individuals who came up with some bonehead plays. It was really, really bad.
“I’m over us saying all the right words and not doing it correctly on the field. I’ve heard some premiership speeches from us … but talk about not backing it up.”
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GOLDEN BOOT
He’s entered veteran status, but Reynolds produced the sort of performance kids dream about. He opened the scoring with a chip and chase try, slotted goals for fun and then showed his coolness to overcome a missed kick that could have rattled his confidence. His off-balance field goal under pressure was the cherry on top. “He’s a leader of the club for a reason. In the big moments, he wants the ball in his hands,” stand-in coach Jason Demetriou said.
HAMMER TIME
The Cowboys haven’t set the world on fire with their attack in 2020, but they produced one of the moments of the season when electrifying winger Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow raced away for their third try of the evening. Playing with supreme confidence, the returning Scott Drinkwater caught everyone by surprise when he kicked on the third tackle from well inside his own half, finding the rookie on the full. The ‘Hammer’ turned Jaxson Paulo inside out and then raced away like a Group One favourite to confirm his status as one of the hottest prospects in footy.
CAPTAIN MORGAN
Fresh from one of the worst performances of his career, Michael Morgan reminded fans just how good he can be with a star showing in front of his home fans. The skipper missed seven tackled and produced three errors in his first game back from a serious shoulder injury, but oozed class on Saturday with two tries in a much more polished performance across the park.
“It’s how champions respond,” his coach said.