A controversial penalty called on Brisbane forward Martin Taupau has cruelled the Broncos of a late chance to level the scores in a subsequent 20-14 loss to the Raiders.
With just under four minutes remaining on the clock, Taupau chased through a bomb put up by Adam Reynolds and in the process, accidentally collected Raiders winger Jordan Rapana in the head with his knee.
The collision caused blood to rapidly gash from the head of Rapana who then immediately dropped the ball.
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That would have given the Broncos a fresh set 10 metres out but referee Grant Atkins ruled the act from Taupau to be careless, hence worthy of a penalty to the Raiders.
“Marty’s hands are well above but he put his knees in a careless position and it was a careless action,” Atkins said on field to Broncos captain Adam Reynolds.
Rapana was attended to for well over five minutes before being carted off, his jersey a bloodstained mess.
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While sympathising with Rapana’s plight, Fox League’s Dan Ginnane and Steve Roach disagreed with the penalty.
“He looks like a man in a world of pain,” 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.”
“There’s nothing he (Taupau) could have done. It’s completely accidental,” Roach said.
