Souths coach Jason Demetriou fired a shot at Cowboys coach Todd Payten over complaining too much after he accused the Rabbitohs medical staff of time wasting with HIAs.
Payten claimed some of Souths’ head injury assessments came at crucial times to halt the Cowboys’ momentum in their 20-10 Round 24 loss.
“I think he has a bit of a habit about complaining about stuff,” Demetriou responded.
Stream every game of every round of the 2022 NRL Telstra Premiership Season Live & Ad-Break Free During Play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
LISTEN TO THE FULL JACKSON HASTINGS INTERVIEW ON THE FOX LEAGUE PODCAST
“Our medical team are as diligent and respectful of the rules as anyone in the game.
“I think if you looked at how many HIA’s we have used and how many blokes we have brought off the field we would be one of the fewest in the competition.
“To suggest that, I am going to stick up for my staff here and they don’t do that unless there is a reason to do it.”
Payten suggested the Rabbitohs were trying to halt his side’s momentum at crucial times, in particular with Jason Taumalolo’s shot on Tevita Tatola late in the first half.
“The game went for two hours tonight,” Payten fumed.
“I was very confused about some of the HIAs at the back end.
MORE NRL NEWS
BIG HITS: Murray leads Souths to ugly win to clinch finals spot, sin bins cost Cowboys
BIG HITS: Raiders in finals box seat as Manly ‘look like they don’t want to be there’
‘MISSION IMPOSSIBLE’: NRL great draws a line through Broncos’ finals chances
SOUTHS BLOW: Covid threatens to rub Cook out until finals… if they get there
“There was one in the first half where Jason (Taumalolo) actually hit Tatola through the ribs and there was a HIA.
“That is bending the rules at best.
“Then there was one where we forced an error and there was a scrum and it was our ball and momentum was in our favour and that is another opportunity where they can stop the game and get their gas back and it halts all momentum in our favour.
“I would like the NRL to have a look at it. It is not my job. Well it is my job, but they have got the right people to have a look at it and I would like them to investigate it or at least look closer at it.”
Get all the latest NRL news, highlights and analysis delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Sign up now!!
Payten was also asked about a crucial call to sin bin Coen Hess, despite the Souths player Campbell Graham not coming off for a HIA.
“I’m unsure, I’d like to get another look at it, but like from our point of view Campbell Graham didn’t come off for a HIA, so I’m not sure if he got hit in the head or not,” Payten said.
“That’s the part that I’m confused about.”
Payten was asked if he likes the idea of players being sin-binned for head clashes.
“Not particularly no,” Payten said.
“You can’t compare that to Dale Finucane’s. Crichton’s ear nearly fell off, so there is a question if Hess hit his head or not.
“They are polls apart in my opinion.”
