Rugby league legend Andrew Johns has demanded the NRL crack down on a tackle that has now ruled a Penrith star out for the year.
Panthers winger Taylan May will miss the entire 2023 season after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his knee during the World Club Challenge.
May had been held up by two St Helens players, before Agnatius Paasi dove at the Panthers player’s legs and caused them to buckle awkwardly.
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Paasi was not penalised or charged for the incident, but Johns was not happy and wants the game to act on the “horrendous” style of tackle.
“Once again, get that tackle out of the game,” Johns said on Wide World of Sports’ Freddy and The Eighth.
“You don’t need that third person coming in to the tackle.
“If two players – two big boppers – have got hold of him, you should not have a third player coming in at the knees.
“I’m not blaming the player because every team does it. Every team trains for it, every team does it.”
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Fellow league legend Brad Fittler was equally unimpressed.
“It’s not a good tackle, seriously,” Fittler agreed.
Rugby league has outlawed “cannonball” tackles, which occurs when a defender dives at a ball-carrier’s knees.
But the Paasi action was deemed legal.
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