Andrew Johns fumes as Christian Tuipulotu try celebrations wiped from history
Dragons star Christian Tuipulotu’s controversial try celebrations have been banned and Andrew Johns had a strong message for the winger.
NRL great Andrew Johns has a simple message for Dragons star Christian Tuipulotu when it comes to his controversial try celebrations.
Pick the right moment.
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The giant St George Illawarra winger has been in superb try-scoring form early in the new season, joint-leader in the competition with four tries from two matches, including a hat-trick against the Bulldogs in round one.
Sadly for Dragons fans, the club has lost its opening two games against the Dogs and Souths, so try celebrations fail to have the same impact for a losing side.
Tuipulotu has been busting out hand gestures towards the crowd that appear to relate to money and splashing cash.
It may have something to do with the fact the 24-year-old is off contract at the end of this season.
The situation has gone so far that Dragons coach Shane Flanagan has banned the celebrations going forward.
“He won’t be doing them again, trust me,” Flanagan told CODE Sports this week.
“He will be told, don’t you worry. I don’t know where it’s coming from but it won’t be happening anymore. We’ll address it.”
While Immortal Johns doesn’t want players to suppress their personalities out on the field, he feels there is a time and place for overt celebrations.
“Look, if you win a big game and there’s a real big moment and you ice the game, pressure on, I can understand it then,” Johns said on Channel 9’s Immortal Behaviour.
“But in round one, when they were behind by 18, I was like Christian, what are you doing mate? Read the room.
“You can’t be doing this rubbish when you’re down by 18 (points).”
Former Bulldog Michael Ennis had the same reaction, saying on Fox League: “Interesting celebration when you’re down by 18.”
Born in Auckland, Tuipulotu spent one season at the Roosters before shifting to the Sea Eagles from 2021-2023.
Linking up with Red V last season, the Kiwi has a solid try-scoring record, notching 26 from his 47 appearances at the top level.
The Dragons have a bye this weekend, but fans will surely embrace the celebrations if they come in a winning side, with their next match against competition frontrunners Melbourne on Saturday March 29.
Johns said it’s a balancing act learning how to deal with players with Tuipulotu’s flamboyance.
“It’s a fine line because he’s obviously extroverted and that’s his personality,” he said.
“You don’t want to stop that, but also you don’t want to bring unwanted pressure on yourself and the team.
“So wait for the right moment.”
Asked if banning the celebration was a strange call by Flanagan, Johns said: “No, not really.
“As a coach you’ve got to have that big stick and this is just one of those times when he’s got to bring the big stick out and give them a big slap across the backside, so to speak.”
After hosting the Storm in round four, the Dragons take on Parramatta, Gold Coast and Manly.
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