Jason Taumalolo did not miss Isaiah Papali’i with his thundering tackle on Friday night, but what TV viewers would have missed was the heart-warming image of a concerned Taumalolo remaining with Papali’i in back play for several tackles.
Taumalolo was hit with a grade-two dangerous contact charge by the match review committee on Saturday for his 16th-minute shot on Papalii. Because of his poor disciplinary record, Taumalolo faces a minimum three-match ban, which will have an impact on Tonga at the World Cup.
Taumalolo was sin-binned for the tackle that forced Papali’i off for a head injury assessment, and Parramatta captain Clint Gutherson asked referee Grant Atkins why the Cowboy’s $10 million man was not sent off.
The North Queensland star stayed with Papali’i as play advanced down field. Rather than run back to the defensive line, the lock forward put his hand on Papali’i as he lay on the turf.
Papali’i was impressed by Taumalolo’s selfless act after the pair waged a running battle for most of the rest of the night.
“I was really appreciative of what he did,” Papali’i told The Sun-Herald. “I know him away from the field; he’s a good mate.
“He collected me in the head, but I never blacked out. He rattled me a bit, but I got straight back up and passed the HIA. He came up to me before he went back on and checked on me. He said sorry.
Jason Taumalolo and Isaiah Papali’i staged a running battle on Friday night.Credit:Getty
“At that point in the game all you think about is it might be your last moment, so I made sure I passed the HIA and got back out there.”
Papali’i’s mother, Lorina, was watching at home in New Zealand and was impressed by Taumalolo’s sportsmanship when told about the images, whcih were not captured on the live broadcast.
Lorina, who represented Samoa at two rugby World Cups and New Zealand at two rugby league World Cups will make the trek to Sydney with husband Jerry next weekend.
“That is so beautiful to hear that,” she said. “It’s definitely heart-warming and actually gives me goosebumps that he cared enough. It wasn’t vicious, it was sportsmanship.
“I thought it was a sign of respect when Isaiah and Jason Taumalolo went at it the whole game. It was a good battle.
“When he did go off the field, I was hoping he would come back on. He looked fine to us. We also wanted to make sure he was OK and finished strongly.
Jason Taumalolo gets his marching orders on Friday night.Credit:NRL Photos
“We’re just excited and grateful he has this opportunity to try and win the grand final.”
Taumalolo is likely to miss a Tongan friendly against France given the league allowed Lindsay Collins and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves to serve part of their bans in warm-up games for Australia and New Zealand respectively, and will also miss Cup games against Papua New Guinea and Wales.
Papali’i will join Wests Tigers next year and knows he has the perfect chance to farewell Parramatta in style.
“This whole finals series has been crazy for me, just playing week to week and knowing it could be my last game,” Papali’i said.
“We know what’s happening post-2022, so we want no regrets and understand these opportunities don’t come around often. We need to take this opportunity with two hands.”
Papali’i was on the end of the pass from Mitchell Moses for Parramatta’s first try, which Paul Vautin – among many others – said sailed forward “six metres” on the Channel Nine commentary.
The back-rower smiled when asked about it, saying: “I just played to the whistle. Mitch is a freakish player and you need to expect the ball at all times. I never looked up. I heard people booing. It was up to the ref to make that call.”
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