‘That’s a joke’: NRL storm raging after sickening incident

There has been a furious backlash against the NRL with one Broncos star cruelly dealt with despite triggering a sickening incident.

The incident that led to the horror movie. Photo: Fox Sports

There has been a furious backlash against the NRL after Broncos star Marty Taupau was whacked for a controversial penalty in his team’s loss to the Raiders on Saturday.

The Brisbane enforcer left Raiders speedster Jordan Rapana needing to be stretchered from the field after a sickening and bloody incident late in the game.

The NRL Match Review Committee announced on Sunday Taupau will not face any charges from the incident.

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The game was stopped for approximately five minutes with just under four minutes to go after the Raiders winger had blood pouring from his head.

Rapana caught a bomb, dropping to the ground, only to find the knee of a charging Marty Taupau as the Broncos prop tried to put pressure on the kick.

The aftermath was Rapana and his jersey covered in blood as it leaked from a gash on his head.

But while the rugby league world almost universally believed it was an accident, the bunker and referee Grant Atkins awarded a penalty to the Raiders. Taupau was also placed on report.

The incident that led to the horror movie. Photo: Fox Sports

He didn’t miss. Photo: Fox Sports

Atkins said while his hands were in the air, it was a “careless act” similar to when a player was going for a try and was down low.

The majority of the Fox League commentary panel said Taupau had been hard done by — especially since the penalty cost the Broncos good field position and any chance they had of equalling the scores in the final few minutes of the Raiders’ 20-14 win.

Te reaction from commentators around the game on social media was even more scathing of the penalty.

Former NRL referee Tim Mander posted on Twitter: “That is a joke of a penalty. It was incidental. You can’t penalise a player for clipping a bloke with his knee

“There is not always an indiscretion when there is a bad injury. That tackle wasn’t even careless. Rugby League is a collision sport. Sometimes there are injuries and no one is at fault.”

Mander also said it was “rubbish” when Fox League commentator Warren Smith took to Twitter to defend the referees by saying Taupau had a “duty of care” to avoid any dangerous contact.

Former NRL prop forward Martin Lang was also appalled that a penalty had been given.

“It’s an awkward game. I’m not sure what other option Taupau had aside from not getting out of his car when he arrived at the ground,” he posted on Twitter.

Raiders coach Ricky Stuart also defended Taupau after the game and said he hoped that Taupau would not face any judiciary action.

even the trainer knows it was bad. Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images

“It was an accident. I feel sorry for Marty Taupau. He didn’t mean to do that,” Stuart said. “He came in (to the dressing-room) looking for Jordy, which was really nice of him.

“It was an unfortunate collision. Those accidents happen in these games. I hope he’s not suspended.”

Taupau spoke on radio in an on-field interview after the game and said he was “baffled” by the ruling.

“There definitely wasn’t any malice in that,” Taupau told ABC Sport.

“Obviously, in a contact sport you’re trying to do your very best to stay within the rules.

“I feel pretty saddened obviously with the injury he’s gotten out of that, but … in that instance, what do I do?

“Obviously there’s every intention of me trying to make a legal tackle … it was an accident, but yeah, what do you do? That’s the question.”

When informed of the explanation given by the bunker as the penalty was awarded, Taupau responded: “That’s pretty ridiculous”.

Michelle Taupau also wrote on Twitter: “What a joke”.

What a win for Canberra! Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images

The Fox Sports commentators agreed.

“He looks like a man in a world of pain,” Dan Ginnane said of Rapana.

“Careless is what the referee has said.

“It’s hard to know what Taupau could have done.

“That is a game-defining decision. If Rapana is not lying on the ground, this isn’t looked at.”

Steve Roach agreed: “There’s nothing he (Taupau) could have done. It’s completely accidental.”

But Broncos great Corey Parker had a differing view.

“Really unfortunate for Jordan Rapana, who has had a wonderful game, but I’ve got to go against what you’re saying,” he said.

“It is accidental but the careless act of it is why Jordan Rapana is leaving the field. I think while we can see it was a complete accident, unfortunately for the Brisbane Broncos, that’s why a penalty was given and I think that’s sufficient.”

In the studio after the match, Cooper Cronk and Mal Meninga agreed it deserved a penalty.

“I actually agree with it, yes it was a complete accident, yes there was Taupau to pull out of it, but the way the game is played nowadays, there needs to be care from the player inflicting the injury,” Cronk said.

“Whether it is a high shot or anything else, completely accidental, worrying concerns for Jordan Rapana but I agree with the penalty because a player was put in a dangerous position.”

Meninga agreed: “Unintentional, he did hit him, he hit him in the head and there’s duty of care … certainly unintentional.”