Coach Calls for Clarity Over Tackle Kelly Boosted By
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THURSDAY AUGUST 6 2015 SPORT 45 Coach calls for clarity over tackle Fifita fallout can’t halt PETER BADEL WAYNE Bennett will lead a push for shoulder charge re- form after blasting the NRL’s Sharks’ top-four shot lack of consistency and clarity over the controversial tackle. The move from Bennett, STEVE ZEMEK Sharks are under pressure to has said he would support a Luke Lewis, who will miss the Winger Valentine Holmes who sits on the NRL’s compet- rub them out for the rest of the four-game ban and $50,000 next few weeks because of a said Fifita’s loss was a big one ition committee, came as Cow- CRONULLA describe Andrew season after they were banned fine for their conduct. knee problem. but there was enough talent in boys coach Paul Green backed Fifita as one of their shining from PDJRL games for 12 Andrew has run for an aver- Barba said the saga had the side to plug the hole. Peter Sterling’s call to reinstate lights but claim his loss for the months. age of 157m per game in his 16 been a distraction but it would When asked if the episode the shoulder charge. rest of the NRL season will not Andrew has stated he will NRL appearances this year not be a fatal blow to their had been a distraction, Holmes Debate over the future of extinguish their top-four contest several key points of and Sharks utility Ben Barba post-season chances. said: “It is but we’re just trying the shoulder charge raged after hopes. the allegations, including that described him as one of the “Andrew, the way he’s been to let them sort it out and focus Roosters prop Kane Evans Andrew and his brother he threatened to “smash” a ref- form props of the competition. playing, he’s probably been on us on the weekends. pummelled Bulldogs giant David will today front the Cro- eree after an A-grade match The Sharks are in fifth spot one of the form front-rowers of “It was a pretty big chal- Sam Kasiano with a brutal nulla board to learn their fate between St Patricks and St after four straight wins and will the competition,” Barba said. lenge (against the Warriors front-on shot last Friday night. over allegations they abused a Marys. host second-placed North “And probably one of the away in Round 21) because we Evans controversially es- referee during a Penrith Dis- The former NSW front- Queensland in Saturday’s best, along with ‘Gal’, in our need Andrew’s go-forward. caped punishment over the trict Junior Rugby League rower on Tuesday lost a bid to Round 22 twilight match. side. “But the forwards that have tackle, a week after Bennett’s match last month. have his PDJRL suspension An NRL suspension for the “The quicker this gets sort- been coming in having been Broncos front-rower Adam The pair have been sus- overturned. Fifitas would exacerbate the ed the better for us and An- training well and playing well Blair was hit with a two-game pended indefinitely and the Club captain Paul Gallen loss of veteran back-rower drew and David.” on the weekends.” ban for a shoulder charge. Bennett accepts NRL auth- orities will never bring back the shoulder charge, but rugby NRL - ROUND 22 league’s greatest coach wants an urgent overhaul of the pro- Tomorrow: Sea Eagles v cess governing the tackle. Rabbitohs (7.15pm), Broncos v The Broncos coach will also Bulldogs (7.15pm); Saturday: table a proposal involving atti- Warriors v Dragons (2.30pm), tudes towards dangerous tack- Sharks v Cowboys (5pm), Eels v les at an end-of-season NRL Panthers (7pm); Sunday: Storm v Titans (1.30pm), Knights v coaches’ forum. Roosters (3.30pm); Monday: Bennett sat on the compet- Raiders v Tigers (6.30pm) ition panel that digested evi- dence showing shoulder charges were 76 per cent great- er in impact than normal tack- les, prompting the NRL to outlaw them in 2013. Brother’s message of family grief PHIL ROTHFIELD THE brother of James Acker- man, the rugby league player who died from a shoulder charge, has made an emotional plea to league authorities. The Sunshine Coast father- of-two died in June from a shoulder charge that led to an eight-week suspension of Broncos player Francis Molo. In a post on social media on Tuesday, Ackerman’s brother appealed for the NRL’s ban on the shoulder charge to remain. “Over the last few days I have read a few articles about Parramatta forward Darcy Lussick signing a footy jersey for eight-year-old Eels fan Osca Bonar at the Darwin Waterfront yesterday Picture: HELEN ORR the shoulder charge, ex foot- ballers have given their views,” he wrote. “Until my brother sadly Kelly boosted by new deal at Eels Coote throat-blow horror passed away I did agree with them, I loved nothing more FROM THE BACK PAGE and Brad Takairangi are back COWBOYS fullback Lachlan half, Coote bravely put his than seeing a good shot come “Things have fallen into in the centres for Parramatta Coote has spoken of his shock body on the line to stop a try- off and there was no prouder place nicely and it’s always one and Corey Norman will return after an accidental elbow from bound Papalii. In a split sec- moment than seeing my broth- that I wanted to get up to,” from a knee injury at five- Maroons hulk Josh Papalii left ond, the full force of the 110kg er get the better of someone. Kelly said. eighth in the Round 22 clash. him vomiting blood and briefly wrecking ball’s elbow connec- “We can all argue about it “Luckily enough everything Vai Toutai and Bureta Far- unable to breathe. ted with Coote’s throat, leaving and have our own opinions but went well and I’m here.” aimo have dropped out of the Coote yesterday declared him gasping for air and affect- let me put this to you – what if Kelly is hopeful his home team and Joseph Paulo has himself a certain starter for ing his ability to speak. it was your son, daddy, hus- town of Katherine will be out EELS v moved to 18th man. Saturday night’s clash against “It was pretty scary,” he band, brother, grandson, uncle, in force in the stands on Satur- PANTHERS Robert Jennings is out for Cronulla at Remondis Stadium said. “Josh Papalii made a half- aunty, nephew, cousin on the day night. the Panthers with a hamstring after seeking medical clear- break down the left side and I end of the tackle? “I’ve got my mum, dad, sis- injury which will cause a few ance on a throat injury. went in for the tackle to lock “What if you woke up every ter and a lot of my extended 2 DAYS movements. The classy Cowboys full- the ball up, but then his elbow morning and couldn’t see that family coming to the game, so TO GO Waqa Blake will start on the back has fought back from collided with my throat.” person again? it’s quite exciting,” he said. wing, Lewis Brown will shift to shoulder and knee reconstruc- Despite the setback, Coote SATURDAY, AUGUST 8, “There is nothing worse for “The Territory doesn’t get the centres and Bryce Cart- tions, but few injuries could saw out the 80 minutes, run- 7PM, TIO STADIUM my family than to have to many opportunities to see top- wright will start in the back match his initial terror after ning for 103m and producing wake up every day and having level rugby league, so it’s great row as Penrith aim to stop a being floored against Canberra two tackle busts and a line- that moment play over and to be a part of it and hopefully comes down and supports it.” run of four straight losses last Saturday night. break in the Cowboys’ 32-24 over in our heads.” there’s a big crowd which In team news, Will Hopoate against the Eels. 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