NRL world divided as Tigers star Justin OIam in hot water after controversial send-off

Wests Tigers centre Justin Olam could be looking at a lengthy spell on the sidelines after being sent off on Thursday night.

Justin Olam was sent off.

Wests Tigers centre Justin Olam is looking at a lengthy spell on the sidelines after being sent off for a high shot on Cowboys second rower Heilum Luki in North Queensland’s 48-30 win on Thursday night.

In what is becoming a concerning trend for Benji Marshall’s side, who have been no stranger to having players sin binned or sent off in 2024, Olam was the latest to be given his marching orders.

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On this occasion, Olam levelled out Luki with a shot which the Bunker deemed to have a “high level of force” and to have made “direct” contact with the head.

Referee Chris Butler also added that Olam had “the whole body to aim at”.

The Tigers were in the contest at the point before Olam was sent off, only trailing 20-14, but quickly fell behind by four converted tries as the Cowboys took advantage of the one-man overlap.

Speaking in commentary for Fox League, premiership-winning halfback Cooper Cronk said it was “hard to argue” with the send-off call.

“Heilum Luki, a much bigger player than Justin Olam, he had multiple opportunities to tackle Luki in different spots and it wasn’t like he hit him softly, he hit him with a lot of force with that right shoulder directly to the chin,” Cronk said.

“You can’t argue with that.”

Justin Olam was sent off.

There were some differing views from the NRL world though, with Daily Telegraph journalist Dean Ritchie supporting the call while former Panthers forward Mark Geyer wasn’t impressed.

Ritchie wrote: “Luki’s head snapped back. In today’s game, that was a send off.”

But Geyer said: “Send off!! WTF!! What are we becoming???”

Discipline has been a major issue for the cellar dwellers with 15 players sent to the sin bin already this season, with the Tigers saving some of their best attack when they were down to 12.

The Tigers faithful also showed their displeasure at Stefano Utoikamanu’s exit when he received a smattering of boos as he took the first carry on Thursday night at Leichhardt Oval.

Bizarrely, they also gave Olam a standing ovation after he was sent off for an ugly high shot in their wild 48-30 loss to the Cowboys.

North Queensland’s Valentine Holmes must have heard all the chatter this week about him being shopped around to Sydney clubs because the veteran centre wound back the clock with one of his best performances of the season.

After an underwhelming Origin campaign, Holmes bounced back in a big way with a try, two assists, six goals and six tackle busts as North Queensland’s left edge tore the Tigers to shreds.

Taulagi also had a field day with a hat-trick, but coach Todd Payten would have been filthy with the tries his side conceded against 12 men as their defence clocked off.

Points differential will decide the top four, and while they are in equal third for the time being, they missed a huge chance to boost their for and against.

With Martin Gabor, NewsWire

Originally published as NRL world divided as Tigers star Justin OIam in hot water after controversial send-off