‘Should have been a send off’: Fans say same thing over Jordan Riki ‘dog shot’

The NRL world has erupted over a Broncos star’s ugly hit that left commentators divided and fans united over what should have happened.

The controversial moment was a flashpoint. Photo: Fox Sports

NRL commentators have been left divided but fans seemed united over a controversial decision in South Sydney’s 22-12 win over the Broncos on Friday night.

The resurgent Rabbitohs raced to a 22-0 lead in the 49th minute to set up a third straight win, before a flashpoint erupted in the 55th minute.

Watch every game of every round this NRL Telstra Premiership Season LIVE with no ad-breaks during play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial today >

With Rabbitohs skipper Cameron Murray running just outside receiver Cody Walker as he schemed for a hole, Broncos second rower Jordan Riki appeared to put the shoulder into Murray despite not having the ball.

Replays appeared to show the contact was high as well, with Murray required to leave the field for a head injury assessment.

Although Murray jumped straight back to his feet, Souths fans shared their displeasure with Latrell Mitchell rushing in to push and shove with Riki.

Incredibly, Mitchell was sin binned for being the third man in, while Riki was sin binned for his contact on Murray.

But the incident left many question marks with many believing Riki should have been sent off, particularly after Joseph Sua’ali’i’s Origin send off just seven minutes into Game 1.

Looks like head contact. Photo: Fox Sports

On Fox League, Corey Parker said he believed Mitchell being sin binned was “consistent with what we’ve seen” as Latrell “escalated things”.

Parker said he wasn’t convinced that Riki hit Murray in the head, but argued the Rabbitohs captain bouncing back to his feet “played a part”.

James Graham agreed.

But Cooper Cronk said: “I think the Bunker and the referee got it exactly right. Murray jumped back up so that says the Bunker saw replays that didn’t say it was direct contact (to the head). And Latrell Mitchell can’t run in and do that. I think they got that right.”

On Channel 9, there was a different tune.

Johnathan Thurston believe it should have been a straight send off.

“I thought the Jordan Riki incident deserved more than 10 minutes in the bin,” he began. “I thought it was direct, forceful contact to the head so I do believe that should have been a send off given what’s happened over the last few weeks with head contact.”

Alanna Ferguson agreed, saying it was “definitely a send off”.

While she said Mitchell also deserved 10 in the bin for running in as far as he did, she said there was no excuse for Riki’s act.

“That’s a send-off for me and the fact that the punishment was the same for both players, I think that would leave a fair few people a bit salty,” Ferguson said.

Billy Slater wasn’t so sure Murray was hit in the head, and argued “I thought the referee handled it pretty good.”

Riki was sin binned, but was it enough? Photo: Fox Sports

As for the coaches, they were in agreement.

Even Broncos coach Kevin Walters said: “I thought he was lucky to stay on the field”.

Though he said, with State of Origin Game 2 coming up, he believe a “send off was sufficient” and hoped it wouldn’t lead to a suspension.

South interim coach Ben Hornby said he thought Riki was lucky to only be sin binned, while Mitchell was unlucky.

On Nine, Emma Lawrence said Cam Murray had told her that it “wasn’t as bad as it looked” arguing he was hit in the chest.

He added in the press conference: “I think it looked worse than it was, I don’t think he got me high and the whiplash made it look bad. It’s footy.”

However, the video didn’t appear to back up his take as he hopes for Origin selection as it appeared there may have been contact with the head.

While there was some fence sitting in the commentary boxes, fans were certain Riki should have received his marching orders.

Newswire’s Steve Zemek commented: “Latrell should not have been sin binned for that. Riki should have been sent off. And I’m a Broncos fan. Just dumb and dangerous.”

Newswire contributor Jack Blyth posted: “This is what confuses me about the NRL.

“Joseph Suaalii hits a slipping Reece Walsh, send off. Jordan Riki puts a shoulder into Cam Murray’s head whilst both upright, sin bin.

“What makes one worse than the other?”

Latrell put himself at the middle of the scrum. Photo: Fox Sports

Reporter John Dean added: “Jordan Riki should’ve been sent off. Dog shot.”

6 News AU’s Aiden Edgecomb tweeted: “Why was Joseph Sua’ali’i sent off and not Jordan Riki? Let me know if my eyes are broken but that looked like a straight send off to me.”

Another fan wrote: “So wait … Souths are actually now worse off after a Riki shoulder charge …”

Another posted: “How was Riki not sent off? Those punishments should not be equal.”

Another added: “Latrell was sin binned on name/reputation by Adam Gee. The same level of punishment as Riki is ridiculous.”

While Mitchell had the mark of a sin bin on his record from the match, he was also outstanding as the Rabbitohs’ resurrection continued.

The South Sydney fullback was outstanding against the Titans last week and backed it up in dreadful conditions on Friday night as he overcame an early error to inspire his side to a third-straight win.

Mitchell had his fingerprints all over South Sydney’s attack, with the fullback making an early break – only to be chased down by Riki – before he barged over to score and then set up another to open the second half scoring.

His bombs tormented the Broncos in the wet, but there are only blue skies ahead for Mitchell who must be picked for the MCG showdown.

With Martin Gabor, Newswire