Gold Coast skipper Tino Fa’asuamaleaui is facing a one-to-two-game ban for the high tackle that prompted coach Des Hasler to claim the NRL’s renewed focus on head contact “interferes with the integrity of what the game’s about.”
Fa’asuamaleaui was issued a grade 2 careless high tackle charge along with Dolphins opposite Ray Stone and Broncos back-rower Brendan Piakura out of Saturday’s games, with all three players sin-binned for high shots.
Piakura’s recent record of similar offences ensured his suspension was increased to two weeks for his high tackle on Tigers prop Terrell May.
After the NRL issued an edict to clubs that an “increased incidence of shoulder-to-head contact by defenders” needs to be addressed, six players have been binned for high tackles in six games so far in round five.
Hasler began his press conference after the Gold Coast’s 36-10 loss to the Dolphins with a two-minute monologue on the perceived crackdown.
The veteran coach insisted he was not having a “whinge” and claimed that “I haven’t been critical of the referees, so I don’t expect a $25,000 fine.”
Did Des Hasler sail too close to the wind with his comments on the officiating?Credit: Getty
The NRL is expected to review Hasler’s comments on Monday after he took aim over Fa’asuamaleaui’s second-minute sin-binning for hitting Felise Kuafusi high, as well as another high tackle call against Beau Fermor.
“People pay good money to come and see a game of footy,” Hasler said.
“With the playing at the head, I think it just interferes a bit with the integrity of what the game is about.
“Where is the intention? It’s just another spoiling part of the game. It’s not quite as bad as Magic Round two years ago, but I find it’s disappointing.
“It’s an area that they have to look at with the intention. In six weeks when another competition starts with State of Origin, there are going to be people in the sin bin.
“I’m not going to be using it as an excuse [for losing] … but it’s just uncalled for. It’s not the first time it is going to be stated, but it’s a forceful game sometimes.”
Hasler made mention of NRL head of football Graham Annesley’s email to clubs, which stated the prevalence of high tackles “is a tackling technique issue that needs to be addressed, and players must lower their target area to avoid the risk of contact with the head/neck of opponents.”
In reference to Fermor’s tackle on Dolphins half Isaiya Katoa, Hasler said: “That is a great rugby league play, to come from the other side of the field and get across there and make a great try-saving tackle.
“The referee comes and says you tapped him on the head. I don’t think there was anything too malicious. I just don’t get it. The pressure is coming from somewhere, but we are just too reactive sometimes.
“It’s something they are just going to say they have to lower their target. It’s not as simple as lowering your target.”
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