Knights coach Adam O’Brien has said he will “advise” his players to grow their hair after the Panthers were awarded a controversial penalty for a hair pull.
Newcastle backrower Tyson Frizell was attempting to tackle Penrith five-eighth Jarome Luai in the 56th minute with the hosts holding a 14-8 lead.
Frizell clearly didn’t intentionally pull his opponent’s hair but unfortunately dragged Luai down in awkward fashion, handing the reigning premiers attacking field position.
Watch every game of every round of the 2023 NRL Telstra Premiership Season LIVE on Kayo Sports. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
FOX LEAGUE PODCAST – LACHIE MILLER ‘COULD’VE BEEN DIGGING HOLES’
Knights fullback Lachie Miller reveals the big risk he took when he rejected a Rugby 7s contract extension to chase his NRL dream.
Only two tackles later the Panthers equalised through a Jaeman Salmon try before Nathan Cleary eventually kicked a matchwinning field goal in golden point.
Speaking in the post-match press conference, Tyson Frizell said he thinks players with long hair need to have it tied up.
“When his hair is hanging halfway down his back and I am going to make a tackle it is incidental,” Frizell said.
“I guess if I do pull his hair it is classified as a penalty, but it wasn’t intentional and I’d like for him to tie his hair up.”
O’Brien labelled referee Peter Gough’s decision “ridiculous” and said he could employ a new tactic — however it could take weeks to introduce.
“Huge (call), it is ridiculous, otherwise I will advise them all to start growing their hair long,” O’Brien said.
“To try and get an advantage, it was ridiculous.”
Get all the latest NRL news, highlights and analysis delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Sign up now!!
Gagai penalised for ‘undirected’ dissent | 00:30
MORE NRL NEWS
‘F**K ME DEAD’: Gagai slammed for ‘mouthing off’ as he cops dissent penalty
BIG HITS: Warriors ‘crack the code’ as unsung hero shines, Cowboys’ puzzling calls
FREDDY’S BLUES: Wighton set to make shock rep footy call in another headache
“It was incidental, I wasn’t going for any hair or anything like that but when it is hanging half down your back, it’s hard not to grab a bit of it,” Frizell added.
“The players need a bit of credit, they are just trying to make tackles and get people on the ground… there must be a lot of innuendo the players are out there to maim each other, that’s not the case,” O’Brien said.
Panthers coach Ivan Cleary refused to speak about the crucial penalty but suggested the Knights also were on the right end of a few dubious decisions from the officials.
“I don’t want to talk about referees… they might have got a few good ones too, we’ll keep it at that,” Cleary said.
“I think we’ve all got views but we don’t want to turn it into a headline. Happy to get the win and move on.”
