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Josh Jackson bashed with a feather by the NRL judiciary

Brumbies after a strong performance from Henry Speight. (AAP Image/Lukas Coch)
Expert
24th June, 2015
41

The rugby and rugby league judiciaries trod different paths with Brumby Henry Speight and Bulldog Josh Jackson, both charged with dangerous throws – a blight on both codes.

Speight copped five weeks, Jackson one.

Speight will miss the vital Brumbies’ Super Rugby semi-final clash with table-topping Hurricanes at Wellington on Saturday, plus the Wallabies’ Rugby Championship games against the Boks at Suncorp on July 18, and the Pumas at Mendoza on July 27.

And so he should, having up-ended the Stormers Juan de Jongh on his head without possession.

Inexcusable.

And to the Brumbies and Speight’s credit, there was no comment on the decision.

But Jackson was bashed by a feather for his dangerous throw on Panther Jamie Soward in the first half last Saturday, and was facing at least three weeks that would include the Origin deciding clash at Suncorp on July 8.

Jackson had his charge downgraded when it was pointed out Greg Eastwood played a “significant” role in the tackle, so the judiciary gave Jackson a week off for next Monday’s NRL clash with the Storm.

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Despite the hell Alex McKinnon’s been through since he was upended last season, dangerous and illegal tackles have become endemic in rugby league.

So last night’s decision was a disgrace.

It raises the question, would the decision been the same had there been no Origin in the mix?

And Jackson’s quotes last night were enough to make you blink in amazement.

“It definitely wasn’t a good tackle, and I’ve been penalised for it by missing a Bulldogs’ game.

“Hopefully I can adjust my technique in the future.”

That’s worth repeating – “Hopefully I can adjust my technique in the future”.

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For a 24-year-old who has been around the traps since moving from the Knights’ SG Ball team to the Dogs in 2012, and subsequently worn the Australian and Origin jerseys, to hopefully adjust his technique where a dangerous throw is so obviously a no-no, beggars belief.

Rugby got it right with Henry Speight copping five weeks, Josh Jackson should have copped the same, and so should every other rugby league player in the future who hasn’t got the message that a dangerous throw is exactly what it says, and is illegal.

Must we have another Alex McKinnon tragedy before the players and the judiciary wake up to themselves?

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