Rugby league legends on the Sunday Footy Show panel clashed over a penalty awarded to Canberra during Saturday’s shock win over Brisbane.
Broncos enforcer Marty Taupau was penalised when his knee made contact with the head of Raiders fullback Jordan Rapana, forcing him from the field with a nasty gash and blood streaming down his face.
Rapana had caught a bomb and was falling forward when Taupau’s knee made contact.
READ MORE: Friend’s favour helps Tiger tie Masters record
READ MORE: American grills Masters over ‘damn near unforgivable’ call
READ MORE: Coach’s plea after star’s ‘distressing’ head knock
Billy Slater agreed with the decision to penalise the Bronco.
“It was a pretty serious injury… I’m OK with it, it was a total accident,” Slater said.
“I’m OK with the penalty. Marty’s intentions were not to hit Rapana in the head. (But) at the end of the day you’ve got a duty of care.
“When you go down like that on a guy catching the ball, you have an opportunity to steady and make the tackle in a safe manner.”
Andrew Johns, however, was baffled as to how Taupau could be penalised.
Stream the NRL premiership 2023 live and free on 9Now
The Broncos brute was not charged by the match review committee on Sunday for the incident.
“(Rapana) catches and then he drops, so I don’t know what Marty can do,” Johns said.
“I say no penalty.
“It doesn’t matter if (Taupau) steadies or not, he can’t help that Rapana drops.
“If Rapana just gets up and plays the ball, is that a penalty?”
Brad Fittler called it “totally reckless” and said the onus was on Taupau to avoid the heavy contact on Rapana.
For a daily dose of the best of the breaking news and exclusive content from Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by clicking here!
The Mole’s round five team of the week: Axed Knights star sends ‘stunning’ message
For all the latest Sports News Click Here
For the latest news and updates, follow us on Google News.
