Phil Rothfield’s highlights, lowlights: Kane Evans’ obscene strapping tape message and NRL star’s parking gaffe

Warriors prop Kane Evans could face scrutiny for a profanity written on strapping tape on his wrist and beamed around the country on television cameras.

Players need to be careful in this era of high definition TV on Fox Sports.

The cameras caught New Zealand Warriors forward Kane Evans sitting on the bench at Suncorp Stadium during Sunday afternoon’s 30-16 loss to Penrith with this charming memory jogger on his strapping: ‘Fold Some C…’

No doubt NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo and the integrity unit will look into it.

Kane Evans' wrist strapping raised some eyebrows.

Back in 2014, Matt Lodge copped a two-week ban after being hit with a grade-three detrimental conduct charge for writing the word “c...’’ on his strapping during an under-20s State of Origin clash.

Lodge was ordered to take off the strapping during the match.

Making the Evans situation more bizarre is that he was actually 18th man and, despite the Warriors’ shocking run of injuries left them without any subs on the bench, Evans didn’t even get on the field.

Warriors prop Kane Evans.

CREAM OF THE ROOKIE CROP

When was the last time the NRL produced so many outstanding teenage rookies?

We originally thought the Dally M rookie-of-the-year award was a two-horse race between Sam Walker at the Roosters and Josh Schuster at the Manly Sea Eagles.

Then along comes Reece Walsh at the Warriors and his selection in the Maroons’ Origin team after being inexplicably released by the Brisbane Broncos.

It doesn’t stop there. Matt Dufty fell out of favour at St George Illawarra and coach Anthony Griffin promoted 19-year-old Tyrell Sloan, a player who weaves and glides like a David Peachey.

And finally, Ricky Stuart introduced us to Xavier Savage, another 19-year-old fullback who took advantage of terrible Sharks defence to have a blinder on the Gold Coast on Saturday.

RABBITOHS’ TOUCHING GESTURE

Some footy clubs do things better than others. The South Sydney Rabbitohs are a good example.

In a really nice touch, CEO Blake Solly has ensured the wives and partners of their players are fully supported during lockdown while being on their own.

With the players in Queensland, Souths have put together a support package for the WAGS — dropping off hampers of fresh fruit, meat and vegetables to their homes.

“The burden to keep the competition going is largely felt by the families,” Solly said.

“We had Origin players going away thinking they’d see their families again in nine days. Now it could be a month.

“It’s also important we help remove the need for the families to go out when we’re trying to get everyone across the border into Queensland.”

HIGHLIGHT

The best thing about the near elimination of wrestling in the NRL is that Melbourne Storm are now getting the credit they deserve as the most stunning attacking team in the game.

You can even put up with blowout scorelines just to watch their magnificent ball movement and spectacular tries.

LOWLIGHT

There was a rugby union game in Brisbane on Saturday night, Australia against a third-string French side. Aussie star Marika Koroibete was sent off for a collision so minor it wouldn’t have warranted even a penalty in the NRL’s Magic Round crackdown.

Plus, the game and the entire series was decided by a scrum penalty in the dying moments. So boring.

No wonder Nine lost the Saturday night ratings to Seven, 34.6 per cent to 27.6 per cent.

SHOOSH

Which high-profile NRL star took off for Queensland last week but left his car parked in a one-hour zone out the front of a San Souci fish and chip shop? We have been contacted via email by the owners who said: “We have older people, pregnant mums, disabled people who need easy access to come in and collect food.”

We have passed on their complaint to his club.

SHOOSH

Freelance journo Michael Cain is working on a bombshell story with ESPN on women’s soccer in Australia. This is an even bigger story than the last blow up with the Matildas that led to the sacking of their coach Alen Stajcic.

ESPN lawyers are in the final stages of approving the production.

Rival clubs will be watching Phil Gould’s criticism of the NRL now he’s a full-time employee at Canterbury.

GAGGING GUS?

Now that he is a full-time employee as general manager of football at the Canterbury Bulldogs, will Phil Gould be under the same strict NRL rules as other club officials in regards to public criticism?

A number of clubs will be watching this one closely when Gus inevitably tears shreds of Peter V’landys or Andrew Abdo.

STARTING CERTAINTY

Nicho Hynes is supposed to be the second-string fullback at the Melbourne Storm. However he has been in such exceptional form that Ryan Papenhuyzen will surely have to make his return in the No.14 jersey from the bench.

360 VIEW

Catch you on Monday night on NRL 360 on Fox League at 6.30pm with Yvonne Sampson, Paul Kent and James Hooper to discuss and debate all the biggest news stories and issues.

Originally published as Phil Rothfield’s highlights, lowlights: Kane Evans’ obscene strapping tape message and NRL star’s parking gaffe