The NRL say they continue to send a clear message on the illegalities of the shoulder charge, after Sydney Roosters prop Kane Evans was warned but not sanctioned over his hit on Canterbury’s Sam Kasiano.
The NRL fired off a warning letter to the Roosters on Monday in regards to Evans’s much-talked about tackle in the Roosters’ dramatic round 21 win over the Bulldogs.
But the Fijian international wasn’t mentioned when the match review committee released their charge sheet on Monday afternoon.
NRL match review committee co-ordinator Michael Buettner said the on-field penalty and the Concerning Act Notice sent to Evans was sufficient.
“It was evident this was clearly a shoulder charge action, you can see the arm tucked into the side of the body (but) Kane Evans made no forceful movement of or impact to the head and neck of Sam Kasiano and that according to the judiciary code is why no charge is applicable,” Buettner said.
“The NRL is going to (continue) to be diligent in regard to shoulder charges. If there is any contact with the head, or any severe movement of the head and neck ie a whiplash motion then charges will be applied.
“It is a clear message and one that we want to make sure that players understand that we are going to continue to be strong on this stance.”
The shoulder charge was banned by the NRL in November 2012. Brisbane duo James Gavet and Adam Blair and former Parramatta halfback Chris Sandow have been suspended over shoulder charges this season.
Canberra three-quarter Edrick Lee wasn’t as lucky as Evans.
Lee has already taken the early guilty plea on a grade two tripping charge on North Queensland’s Justin O’Neill and will miss the Raiders clash with Wests Tigers.
Bulldogs forward Greg Eastwood also faces one match on the sidelines for a tackle on Roosters captain Mitchell Pearce.
The grade one dangerous contact charge doesn’t warrant a one-match suspension with an early plea.
But Eastwood’s carryover points will push him over the 100-point, one-game threshold if he takes the early plea or fights the charge and loses.
That will sideline him for Canterbury’s clash with Brisbane on Friday.
Tigers prop Keith Galloway and St George Illawarra forward Leeson Ah Mau were also charged following round 21 incidents.
They can escape a suspension if they take an early guilty plea.
Raiders pivot Blake Austin has taken the early plea on his grade one dangerous throw charge, but is available to play the Tigers.
Wildman From Borneo
Guest
Wow what a huge surprise! The NRL finds no reason to suspend a Roosters player when every other shoulder charge with less impact finds the player guilty. The MRC and Judiciary are the biggest jokes in this game. Even more perverse than the Referees
The Barry
Roar Guru
Dave 'tackle bag' Tyrrell
Benedict Arnold
Guest
People are now talking about the game going soft and the shoulder charge being banned is because of it. They want it back. The game is not soft. People only need to look at Steve Matai's hit on Dave Tyrell to see that the shot of the year was also a legal tackle. We don't need it back, we need less wrestle and more hitmen putting on big legal tackles.
maximillian
Guest
I agree. I remember when Greg Inglis shoulder charged Dean Young a few years back & it was widely condemned by the NRL. Not long after that they were using that same footage in ads to promote the game! I wonder if this is the same thing where the NRL half condemns the act but they use the Evans shoulder charge in upcoming promos. It would at least explain the so called "clear message" they are sending.
Jara W
Guest
Geez it's either against the rules or it's not isn't it? What a hopeless message.
The eye
Guest
had he put it on a gentleman like corey thompson he would have copped a month..but kasiano..fresh off slapping an incredulous jwh's face... deserves every penalty free thump he gets..and hed still be behind on his ledger
Dutski
Guest
Don't let the gronks get you down, TB!
The Barry
Roar Guru
Fair enough...a few gronks had me fired up this morning. I don't think they should be banned but putting a shoulder charge on when they're outlawed and the attacking player isn't expecting it is definitely a dog shot. That was certainly the biggest, most blatant shoulder charge I've seen this season and it escapes suspension. I really can't understand what the NRL is trying to do. Are they sending a public message that shoulder charges are banned but sending a more subtle message to players that they can continue? Is the ban just window dressing?
Dutski
Guest
I'm surprised that he wasn't charged, but "the most outrageous dog shot this year?" I reckon there's a few halves who have copped high late shots after kicks who'd disagree big time on that.
Aaron Killian
Guest
Apparently Sam Kasiano said the boys want it back!
Georgina Brown
Guest
Finallly let us watch rugby league.........not the watered down version .........
Aaron Killian
Guest
Why didn't this guy make the charge sheet, what a bunch of softcocks the Dave Smith entourage are
Squidward
Roar Rookie
It does seem odd that he got off at least a week. But I'll give them the benefit of the doubt that he wasn't by himself and kind of was unable to attempt to wrap them arms because he was sandwich with his mates
Georgina Brown
Guest
Common sense prevails........great to watch and great work cane......it wasnt dangerous
Jasper
Guest
So what is the NRL saying Evans should have done differently? He was in between two other Roosters players. So how is supposed to wrap his arms around a team mate and the Dogs player? Is the NRL saying he should have just stood there & let the Dogs player run over the top of the him? Evans didn't do a shoulder charge anyway. He just stood his ground. All the force in the collision was brought by Kasiano. But the NRL as always are blaming the defender. This just shows how little they understand about rugby league and physics. League as it is played now is boring and insipid. All over a misplaced fear. If Dean Young was watching where he was going the shoulder charge would still be legal. Instead the NRL blamed Inglis and the tackle. If the NRL was in charge of cricket the game would now only allow underarm bowling.
E-Meter
Guest
It is incredulous that there is not a suspension. Why ban the shoulder charge if it's not going to be punitively enforced?
The Barry
Roar Guru
Surprise, surprise a roosters player gets a slap on the wrist where other players get suspended. I'm not a fan of the shoulder charge ban but that was the most outrageous dog shot this year. If they're banned they need to be consistent.