Broncos laugh off Blair tackle

It may have earned the ire of Brisbane great Gorden Tallis, but Adam Blair’s chicken-wing tackle on teammate Sam Thaiday has been laughed off by fellow Broncos.

Brisbane forward Jarrod Wallace didn’t think Thaiday would hold a grudge over the incident in last week’s trans-Tasman Test, while teammate Andrew McCullough said Blair “could have done a lot worse”.

Former Brisbane captain Tallis unleashed an extraordinary attack on Blair, saying the Kiwi forward was “one of the dirtiest players” after being charged by the NRL match review committee.

Blair is facing a one-match ban after being hit with a grade one dangerous contact charge for his tackle on Kangaroo Thaiday – his Brisbane teammate – in New Zealand’s 16-0 Test loss to Australia last Friday night.

Tallis said it wasn’t out of character for Blair, who he claimed used tactics in the NRL not becoming of a Bronco.

“I am disappointed he wears the Broncos jersey and plays like that,” Tallis said.

But Wallace couldn’t help but laugh when asked about the incident.

“I don’t think Sammy would have held too much of a grudge,” he smiled.

“I am sure they would have had a laugh after the game – they will be right.”

Hooker McCullough believed the incident had been blown out of proportion.

“He could have done a lot worse than he did – that’s Test football,” he said.

“Sam is a big boy. He will be fine.”

Former Test playmaker Brett Kimmorley wasn’t so convinced that Blair would be forgiven by Thaiday, describing the tackle as “a dog act”.

“You’d be wondering how they shake hands (after the Test),” Kimmorley told Fox Sports TV.

“You’re not mates on the footy field, but there’s a line.

“You can tackle him hard, but that’s a chicken wing – that’s a pretty ordinary act.

“If it is on a teammate, that’s even worse.”

Blair will miss Brisbane’s NRL clash against Manly at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday with an early plea, and will be sidelined for two games if he unsuccessfully fights the charge.

Brisbane have until midday on Tuesday to decide what action they will take.

“He is crucial in our defence. He puts pressure on the kickers – it would be good to get him back,” Wallace said of Blair’s importance.