‘Inconsistency and hypocrisy’: Legend confused as NSW star’s ugly tackle avoids sin bin

Blues enforcer Liam Martin has avoided a sin bin for a lifting tackle that a rugby league legend believed was an obvious offence.

Blues enforcer Liam Martin has avoided a sin bin for a lifting tackle that a rugby league legend believed was a cut and dry 10-minute sideline stint.

In the 36th minute, Martin was penalised for an ugly tackle on Maroons middle forward Reuben Cotter that saw him tipped beyond the parallel.

The only place to watch every game of every round LIVE with no ad-breaks during play is Fox League, available on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial today >

For the eighth Immortal Andrew Johns, he was certain that Martin would be given his marching orders by Ashley Klein.

“This will be a sin bin to Liam Martin, if they’re consistent,” he said on Channel 9.

Johns likened the tackle to that of Warriors flyer Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, who was sent to the sin bin for a lifting tackle on Titans gun Jayden Campbell in Round 16.

Liam Martin's lifting tackle on Reuben Cotter.

The moment sparked mass outrage from the rugby league world.

If you want a true example of the NRL's inconsistency and hypocrisy, look no further than Liam Martin's tackle on Reuben Cotter. Far more dangerous than Tuivasa-Shecks with no sin bin.

— Sam Hewat (@samhewat) June 26, 2024

Good to know sinbins & forward passes don’t count in Origin... NSW has been clearly the better side but two forward pass tries and some dubious penalties early on gassed Qld.. could be 60 in 2nd half #Origin

— Zane Bojack (@zanofc) June 26, 2024

There isn't consistency because Badger was wrong in the Titans game #Origin

— Curtis Woodward (@woodward_curtis) June 26, 2024

“We saw one on the weekend with Roger Tuivasa-Sheck for the Warriors. Gets him up. Gets him over the parallel,” Johns explained.

However, despite pleas from Queensland skipper Daly Cherry-Evans, Martin was placed on report and the Maroons earnt a penalty for the tackle.

In a separate incident, Martin was sin binned for coming over to rub the head of Jaydn Su’A to rub in a knock on.

Originally published as ‘Inconsistency and hypocrisy’: Legend confused as NSW star’s ugly tackle avoids sin bin