NRL bunker officials have been reminded to use the sin-bin for high tackle offences after Bulldogs star Viliame Kikau and Rabbitohs prop Davvy Moale avoided 10-minute time-outs on Friday.
Kikau and Moale were charged by the match review committee on Saturday with careless high tackles, but escaped with fines and can play next weekend.
Sources with knowledge of the situation not authorised to speak publicly on Saturday confirmed both players should have been binned, and bunker officials had already been reminded about the need to take action if required over the remainder of the weekend.
Kikau left South Sydney’s Campbell Graham requiring four stitches to his face, but stayed on the field.
Kikau was then ironed out by Moale a few minutes later, with Moale also spared from a 10-minute breather in the change rooms.
Saturday’s news comes just three weeks after the NRL reminded clubs they would utilise the sin-bin for contact to the head.
Campbell Graham wears one from Viliame KikauCredit: Nine
On Friday, Souths coach Wayne Bennett was confused about lack of action taken for high shots when referring to Kikau’s tackle after the Rabbitohs’ 32-0 loss to the Bulldogs.
Graham said he was unsure what was required for a rival player to be binned, saying: “I’ve got four stitches – he did enough to split my eye.
“You can see the footage for yourself. He got me high. It’s not up to me [if he is binned], it’s up to the refs to sort out. In the tackle, he [Kikau] checked on me, so there are no hard feelings there.
“But there’s that question about consistency with penalties and [sin-bins].”
Viliame Kikau was excellent in his comeback game for CanterburyCredit: Getty Images
In the same game, South Sydney’s Euan Aitken was placed on report for a hip-drop tackle on Matt Burton, and was bemused when told so because he did not land on Burton’s legs. The match review committee did not charge Aitken.
Kikau avoiding suspension is a huge boost for the undefeated Dogs, who head to Brisbane to take on the Broncos on Thursday night.
The Bulldogs’ six wins have come against mostly clubs not expected to fight for the title, but a win at Suncorp Stadium would earn them additional premiership credibility.
As for Souths, injuries are causing plenty of headaches in the backline, with Latrell Mitchell starting the game at five-eighth and finishing it at left centre.
Jayden Sullivan is available after serving a suspension, as is Lewis Dodd, who made his debut on Friday and had to sit on the Accor Stadium sidelines being heckled by Dogs supporters for most of the evening.
The English recruit said he would not have wanted it any other way.
“There wasn’t any malice, and I’d like to think if there was a Bulldogs player seated in front of a Souths fan, they’d be doing the same thing – it’s part of the game,” Dodd said.
“When I ran out for the warm-up, I’ve never experienced anything like that. It was like a grand final.
“It’s bittersweet [because we lost]. But it’s a proud day for me and my family to run out there – I can call myself an NRL player now.”
Dodd said he was happy to wear any number on his back, not necessarily the No.7. He just wants to feature in the top grade each week.
Graham played on the right wing against Canterbury, and despite being one of the best defensive centres in the game, is happy to remain out wide if that was where the team needs him.
“The last time I started on the wing was [for Australia] in the World Cup,” he said.
“I played my first 50 NRL games out there, and I feel comfortable out there, especially alongside a player like Jack [Wighton]. It was different but good.
“I’m not sure what the plan is going forward. We’re still trying to figure out what it looks like going forward. But I’m happy to play anywhere.”
NRL is Live and Free on Channel 9 & 9Now
Michael Chammas and Andrew “Joey” Johns dissect the upcoming NRL round, plus the latest footy news, results and analysis. Sign up for the Sin Bin newsletter.