Andrew Johns and Phil Gould led a chorus of rugby league greats questioning the NRL judiciary’s decision to slap South Sydney star Tom Burgess with a lengthy ban for a controversial hit.
The Rabbitohs prop will miss the remainder of the NRL regular season after receiving a three-match ban for his high tackle on Cronulla’s Tom Hazelton.
The shot sent the veteran Rabbitoh to the sin bin in the final five minutes on Saturday night, putting paid to a South Sydney comeback and confirming a 26-16 loss in Perth.
Hazelton left the field for a head injury assessment after collecting Burgess’ shoulder to his head and did not return.
Johns and Gould, however, argued the tackle did not warrant the suspension.
Gould added: ‘I think it’s too harsh. It’s big man on big man.
‘His side are 10 behind with four [minutes] to play […] I don’t see anything wrong with that tackle.’
Speaking on Fox Footy, Queensland great Mal Meninga was similarly unimpressed with referee Todd Smith’s decision to sin bin Burgess.
‘What is wrong with being aggressive? What is wrong with getting off the line and getting in with intent? I’m not quite sure,’ he said.
Former Storm and Roosters great Cooper Cronk, meanwhile, noted the contact between Burgess and Hazelton had been minimal.
He [Burgess] has flown out of the line and it looks like bodies clash.
‘Does Hazleton get direct contact to the chin? I am going to say no. Is there contact? There might be slight.
‘If there is anything to deal with it is going to be minimal I think.’
Souths coach Jason Demetriou did not dispute the sin-bin, but insisted it was ‘not clear’ whether Burgess had made contact with Hazelton’s head.
‘I liked the intent but you can’t make contact with the head,’ he said
‘It wasn’t clear if he made clean contact with the head but I’m not going to argue. I’m not going to argue with a single [refereeing] decision tonight.’
