NRL match review committee slammed for Russell Packer crusher tackle on Clint Gutherson

The NRL match review committee is under fire for a shockingly light punishment handed down to Russell Packer for his crusher tackle on Clint Gutherson that could have caused a “catastrophic” injury.

Wests Tigers forward Russell Packer's crusher tackle on Parramatta Eels fullback Clint Gutherson.

The NRL’s match review committee has been slammed for letting Russell Packer off with only a one-match ban for an ugly crusher tackle on Clint Gutherson that could have resulted in a “catastrophic injury”.

Just weeks after there was uproar over Manly’s Addin Fonua-Blake’s two-match ban for his disgusting “f***ing retard” slur directed at a referee, the Wests Tigers firebrand has copped a grade one dangerous contact charge for the incident involving Parramatta’s inspirational skipper that sent shudders around the entire game on Thursday night.

It was the low point in a fascinating wild western Sydney derby that the Eels won 26-16.

Even in normal speed it appeared obvious Packer had plenty of time to make a conscious decision — but he still chose to go through with the tackle and drop all his weight on the back of Gutherson’s neck.

It was only a miracle it didn’t result in a terrible injury.

Russell Packer's crusher tackle on Clint Gutherson.

Former leading referee and NRL match review chairman Greg McCallum was of the opinion Packer should have been immediately sent from the field _ and also banned for between three and four matches.

“That sort of contact needs to be eliminated from the game,” McCallum said.

“That is where you are going to break someone’s neck.

“We have fought long and hard over the last decade to get those out of the game.”

You’d love to know how Tigers officials would feel if it happened to one of their own stars like Benji Marshall or young Harry Grant.

Yet it doesn’t really matter who was on the end of the tackle, the fact is it should not be tolerated.

For it to cop a grade one charge is laughable.

Packer gets verbal with Ryan Matterson after the Eels backrower was left concussed following a collision on Thursday night. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Incredibly, Packer could have escaped without a suspension if not for carry-over points for a previous dangerous tackle on Canberra’s Joe Tapine back in round five that resulted in a two-match suspension.

On Fox Sports, league legend Greg Alexander was also of the opinion there was “intent”.

“That’s ordinary,” Alexander said.

“They are one of the worst tackles in the game, especially when it’s got a bit of purpose there and a bit of intent.

“There’s no reason for Packer to do that, he could do all sorts of damage. A player of 110kg coming down on the back of a player’s neck, that’s an ordinary play.”

McCallum was of a similar view.

“Luckily, Gutherson is not injured,” McCallum said.

“He could have suffered a catastrophic injury in that tackle.”

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Asked if he believed Packer should have been sent off, McCallum was adamant: “Absolutely. It was so in the open.

“I think the referee (Gerard Sutton) saw it clearly because he stopped the game.

“The players around didn’t react as I’ve seen others react and I think that is because (Packer) didn’t really lock his neck.

“But it doesn’t mitigate the fact that he dropped his weight down on the back of his neck.”

The game of rugby league is tough enough without those type of incidents that can be avoided.

Two years ago there was outrage when Will Chambers did a similar crusher tackle on Jarryd Hayne and only copped a three-match ban.

Last year Andrew Fifita copped three weeks for one on Canberra’s Ryan Matterson, although Fifita could have escaped with a two-week ban if he accepted the early guilty plea.

We have also seen them in recent seasons from Tevita Pangai, Greg Inglis and Latrell Mitchell who have all been charged and suspended for crusher tackles.

Former leading referee Greg McCallum (left).

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But at what point will the game get serious and hand out a punishment that is going to send a message that they will no longer be tolerated?

On Thursday night it was a brutal contest with several players suffering sickening but accidental concussions.

Among them Tigers’ interchange player Michael Chee Kam was rushed to hospital after suffering convulsions on the field. He was released on Friday morning.

Parramatta’s Ryan Matterson was also knocked silly after coming off second best in another collision with Packer.

But McCallum summed it up perfectly: “Those type of things happen in the run of the game.

“But then you see something as reckless or intentional as what he does and it makes you feel sick.”

Obviously the NRL’s match review panel don’t see it that way.

Originally published as NRL match review committee slammed for Russell Packer crusher tackle on Clint Gutherson