Furious South Sydney officials have lodged a complaint to Penrith after Sam Burgess was struck in the face by a spectator as he left the field at the completion of the Rabbitohs’ 18-2 win over the Panthers on Friday.
A female supporter hit the England international forward just above the eye with a flagstick as he walked towards the change rooms.
Burgess didn’t sustain any injury and was in good spirits as he left the stadium, but declined to comment on the incident.
However, Sam’s mother Julie, who was watching the game that also involved her eldest son Luke and his younger sibling George, took to Twitter to vent her anger.
“Would love to meet the woman (I’m being kind) who hit Sam with a stick as he was leaving the pitch. Sorry Penrith people but that’s not OK,” she wrote.
Souths chief executive Shane Richardson made a formal complaint to the stadium manager and Panthers general football manager Phil Moss after the game.
The NRL’s integrity unit will now almost certainly investigate the incident which see further scrutiny of security at Sportingbet Stadium.
Last year a pitch invasion marred the end of a Test match between Tonga and Samoa with the players not returning to the field with two minutes remaining in the game.
Players from both teams expressed concerns about safety following the invasion by over-enthusiastic fans.
Rod
Guest
Coote was great at both clubs . The difference being is that Gibson got more out of Coote, by playing him more on the left edge and defending in the frontline and of course hit ups, tackle counts etc. They are two very different players, Coote played like a modern day back rower, Raper would most likely play in the halves or at Hooker today as his skills were perfect for those positions.
Gonads At Large
Guest
The jury has been out, mate, and given its verdict. They have chosen Raper over Coote. Not once, but twice. Both juries made up of rugby league experts...former internationals, coaches, et al. Give it up, KB. You're wrong. Raper is an Immortal. Coote isn't.
KB
Guest
Ronny revolutionised the position of back rower/lock far more so than JR. R Coote was not as prolific at souths as JR was at saints , the reason being the vast difference in cattle,
Gonads At Large
Guest
You've got this one wrong, KB. As great as Coote was, Raper was better. Well-respected experts made Raper an immortal ahead of Coote. Other experts selected Raper as the best lock ever, relegating Coote to the second-row. Raper played more Tests (33 to Coote's 23), captained Australia more times (8 to 3), won more grand finals (8 to 7), and was a much better drinker and hell-raiser. The experts have already spoken: Raper was better than Coote. Beyond any doubt.
KB
Guest
The selectors were being kind to JR. R.Coote was streets ahead.
Squidward
Roar Rookie
It's the last option of a defeated person Ps. It's grammar
Titus
Guest
Grammar
Cadfael
Roar Guru
Raper has to be the best. remember it was Coote who had to play second row to Raper in rep games.
KB
Guest
Check your facts..Ronny played in ALL 4, as did Satts..George only 1 and McCarthy 3 of those GF's. R.Coote made those blokes look good with his talent. The greatest Lock forward of ALL time. The Easts team he played in were far superior in talent and results...17 in a row in 1975.
Ret
Guest
Yep.Winning four Grand Finals with those guys must have been really upsetting.....
KB
Guest
Ronny played his best football with Easts. He would have been glad to see the last of Piggins, Sattler and McCarthy.
Gonads At Large
Guest
Sam pushed his fingers over the eyes of Maloney and Woods. Very grubby act. He also grabbed the testicles of a Storm player. Suspended for crusher and other illegal tackles. 5 times last year he was on report for thug behaviour including a cowardly tackle on Sam Thaiday that left him injured.. On top of all that, he is a limelighter and show pony whose own teammates have had a gutful of him. Good riddance says 99% of rugby league fans in Australia.
Pot Stirrer
Guest
is there a lamer sledge than to point out spelling or grammer errors. lol
Ret
Guest
And the Ron Coote Cup? I certainly prefer the "mirror image culture in the west" to whatever "culture" supposedly represented by the Chooks. Sam hasn't eye gouged anyone, but while his lack of discipline is a concern, he is nowhere close to the levels of madness displayed by JWH and Adrian Morley.
Squidward
Roar Rookie
Hahah. Was probably like a toothpick to him Perhaps georgie Burgeiis old fella would be a better object to do damage
Grey nurse shark
Guest
Its a pretty sticky situation( cue cymbal crash now)
Coops
Guest
Low act!
matt dunbar
Roar Rookie
fair enough that souths complain but sam's mum? it's nice to know she cares but it reminds me of Marge Simpson" He tripped my boy! I demand vegnance!" He is going to cop some stick (if you'll pardon the pun) from his mates for mummy sticking (once again, can't help myself) up for him
Walter Penninger
Roar Guru
Sticks, you would have to use something bigger.