NRL told to get tough on "scorpion" tackle as Bulldogs star Krisnan Inu faces 2-3 weeks out

ANGRY Newcastle boss Matt Gidley claimed Krisnan Inu's ugly "scorpion" tackle on James McManus could have ended the winger's season.

ANGRY Newcastle chief executive Matt Gidley last night claimed Krisnan Inu's ugly "scorpion" tackle on James McManus could have ended the winger's season.

And Gidley immediately called on the NRL to do whatever possible to eradicate it from the game.

Inu was charged yesterday by the NRL match review committee with grade two dangerous contact (unnecessary leg pressure).

He is facing a two-game suspension by pleading guilty but three matches if he fights the charge and loses at an NRL judiciary hearing tomorrow night.

Sunday's game at Hunter Stadium was Inu's first back from a five-match suspension for a spear tackle on South Sydney's Greg Inglis.

McManus was treated for soreness in his hip and back after the game but Gidley said it could have been worse.

"Jimmy (McManus) is lucky he hasn't got something seriously wrong with him and wasn't put out for the season with a tackle like that," he said.

"He's still not well. He's got some issues with his hip and his back because he's been put in a position where you are not normally stretched into.

"I never like seeing a player suspended but it was pretty nasty. I can understand Krisnan being frustrated because the game's getting away and he probably hasn't had the impact that he wanted to. But you can't release your frustration that way.

"I'm sure he wouldn't be proud of himself after seeing the tackle on replay."

Gidley described Inu's likely two-week ban as "about right" but called on the NRL to "jump on top" of similar tackles in the future.

"They are the types of tackles we just can't tolerate in the game," he said.

"They (the NRL) have taken a real strong stance on any contact to the head. They need to ensure they come down heavy in these type of incidents as well."

After a 44-8 loss, Canterbury can ill-afford to lose Inu again through suspension.

Over the next three weeks, the 2012 runners-up play Brisbane, St George Illawarra and North Queensland.

Inu has played five from 10 matches this year. A judiciary defeat would mean Inu will have missed eight games on his return in round 14 against Manly at Brookvale.

Canterbury have until midday today to lodge their plea.

Inu received support last night from arguably Canterbury's greatest player, Steve Mortimer. "I don't believe that it is in his DNA to hurt another player," he said. "And I don't think it was intentional."

Asked about Inu's tarnished image after the spear tackle, Mortimer said: "I don't condone spear tackles. It was wrong and hopefully he has learnt from that."

After the game, McManus thought Inu had attempted "to turn me into a scorpion".

Newcastle forward Willie Mason labelled it "a foul act".

Mason and Bulldogs fullback Ben Barba were then involved in an ugly on-field flare-up with Mason mistakenly believing Barba had twisted McManus' leg.

"It didn't bother me," former Bulldog Paul Langmack said.

"It was spur-of-the-moment stuff."

Gold Coast forward Dave Taylor could be unavailable for selection in Origin I after being charged with dangerous contact with the kicker.

He too is facing a two-three game suspension.