Send off debate rages over ugly high shot to KO James Tedesco

James Tedesco has been given an early shower after an ugly shot left him out of the ANZAC clash as the NRL was slammed for its inconsistency.

James Tedesco was taken off and didn't return.

James Tedesco was knocked out just before halftime but it hasn’t stopped the Sydney Roosters from running away to a 34-10 win over the St George Illawarra.

But the hit that sidelined Tedesco has sparked further questions over what should deserve a send off in the NRL.

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With the new concussion rules seeing officials more strict on their penalties, Dragons winger Jordan Pereira has left Tedesco out of the game after he failed the HIA.

As the Roosters shifted the ball wide, quick hands from Tedesco left him vulnerable with Pereira coming in for a big shot but hitting the star around the neck.

It could be argued that Tedesco was ducking down after he passed the ball but it was an ugly shot with Tedesco immediately leaving the field and quickly failing the HIA.

It means Matt Ikuvalu will come into the side for Tedesco, the second concussion sub after Brandon Wakeham was the first for the Bulldogs yesterday.

“Oh my goodness,” Voss said of the shot when it was replayed.

When Ashley Klein sin binned Pereira, Voss said “You can’t question that one.”

Cronk said: “At least they’re being consistent, because Pereira, is not even looking at the target has cocked the right arm and hit Tedesco flush. Ashley Klein, I commend him for the game.”

But Voss brought up the Bulldogs’ Jack Hetherington last week, who was sent off for a high shot on Valentine Holmes.

Does this deserves a sin bin or a send off?

“We still have a big problem in the consistency stakes,” he added.

At halftime, Fox League commentator Braith Anasta didn’t have to think too hard when asked whether the sin-binning was a sufficient punishment.

“It’s not at all. This is clear just swinging arm to the head of the best player on the park, the best player in the world,” Anasta said.

“I’m confused by this, we’ve got (Panthers centre Paul) Momirovski who got three weeks (suspension), we’ve got Latrell who got four weeks for nothing compared to this.

“We’ve had all this time and directive from the NRL to be strong on contact with the head and to tell the Match Review Committee to be strong on players making contact with the head, and with all this time to look at that shot from Pereira, he only gets 10 minutes in the bin, he doesn’t get sent off.

“He should have been sent off straight away.”

Mal Meninga also agreed it should have been a send off.

“I think the judge of it’s going to come with could he have pulled out of that tackle? And I think he could have to be honest with you,” Meninga added.

James Tedesco was in a bad way.

But the pair got some push back from James Graham, who was happy with the call.

“Look I don’t think it warrants a send-off personally,” former Bulldogs and Dragons hardman Graham said.

“I think that follows most of the examples of high tackles and contact the head that we’ve seen most of the season, barring the Jack Hetherington one for the Bulldogs a couple of weeks ago.

“To be honest, it doesn’t matter who it’s on … no one wants to see that in the game.

“I would argue if I was making a case for Jordan that he has fallen and also to give fairness to (referee) Ashley Klein, he doesn’t know that James Tedesco is going to go off and fail his HIA. He’s not privy to that information.”

Social media was also quick to react.

Anyone get sent off these days in the #nrl

Do they need to take weapons on the field?

The on-field ref is there. The video ref is there.

And it's a only a report and 10?

(Btw, three reports in 34 mins... Reckon the system is working?)#NRLRoostersDragons

— Scott Phillips (@TMFScottP) April 25, 2021

We all talk.about ref inconsistency . Here the same ref who sent off Hetherington didn't march a player @scg
please explain #nrl#NRLRoostersDragonspic.twitter.com/S2POhhjEno

— Bernie Coen (@berniecoen) April 25, 2021

The Roosters took advantage during the sin bin period, scoring twice in the shadow of halftime to take a 16-6 lead at halftime.

Just under 10 minutes into the second half, and with a player of their own in the sin bin for a professional foul, Sam Walker scored again to make it 22-6.

It had been a contenious match with a 14th minute incident involving a Mikaele Ravalawa shoulder charge going on report.

Ravalawa raced out of the line but had to stop, before putting a hit on Morris.

Only problem, didn’t use his arms to make the tackle.

“Well this is just a shoulder and head,” Voss said.

“We have got the dramas from Talakai from the Sharks. That is not a conventional tackle.

“It is shoulder and head from Ravalawa. No sign of arm. Unbelievable attempt at tackle.”

But he was just placed on report.

Ravalawa put a monster hit on Morris 🤯

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