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The NRL has been accused for years of under reacting, over reacting or not acting at all.
The formation of an integrity unit has given the code some guidance when it comes to protecting its brand from indiscretions, but keeping everyone within the code happy with disciplinary measures seems impossible.
James Tamou is paying the price for an incredibly poor decision.
On Monday morning, the North Queensland and New South Wales prop was pulled over by police in Townsville.
That situation would end with the forward being charged with high-range drink driving and unlicensed driving.
Yesterday, the Cowboys and the NRL combined to ban Tamou for two matches.
He’ll miss Friday night’s clash with St George Illawarra and, more significantly, be ineligible for selection in the New South Wales side for State of Origin two in Brisbane.
In addition they hit his hip pocket.
He has been fined $20,000 and given he was a certainty for the second game of the Origin series, that’ll cost him an extra $30,000.
His decision to drink and drive while unlicensed has cost him one of the biggest games of his career and $50,000.
All of this is before he even fronts court.
Parts of the rugby league and wider sporting community were quick to applaud the NRL and the Cowboys for their stance.
NRL CEO Dave Smith summed it up best when he said that it was a “high level, high risk, high penalty situation.”
He went on to say, “drink driving puts lives at risk,” and few could argue with those sentiments.
Still, from within the playing ranks, Queensland and Australian captain Cameron Smith provided a different perspective.
Smith is one of the game’s most respected voices and you would struggle to find a better ambassador for the code.
In short, his opinion is to be held in high regard.
Last night, on NRL 360 on Fox Sports, he said he agreed with the two game ban, but said adding the $20,000 fine wasn’t right.
“I think that’s a little bit harsh,” he said.
“A two match ban is sufficient. A $20,000 fine is quite steep.”
So, where do you sit?
Would you have been annoyed with just a two match ban?
Or did the NRL get it right?
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