St George Illawarra’s Jeremy Latimore has denied he intentionally punched Melbourne skipper Cameron Smith in the groin.
It was more than just Smith’s ego that was bruised following the Dragons’ 34-14 win over the Storm on Sunday after copping what appeared to be a shot to his crotch.
Just after halftime, the Queensland and Australian captain collapsed onto the Jubilee Oval turf clutching himself after it appeared he was struck by Latimore.
To have salt rubbed into a very painful wound, opposite No.9 Cameron McInnes scooted over the line where Smith would have been defending.
Smith implied Latimore had intentionally struck him and the alleged act of foul play cost his side a try.
However the Dragons prop defended himself and his reputation.
“I think I was fighting in the play-the-ball,” Latimore said
“I knew something happened when he was on the deck.
“You’re trying to play the ball as quick as you can, I saw Cam on the ground and I did try to apologise at the scrum but he was in a fair bit of pain.”
While Smith was clearly fuming at the incident, Latimore said there was no malice in it.
“You can look at my history, it’s not in my nature,” Latimore said.
“At the time I was trying to get a quick play-the-ball and Cam tries to slow the play-the-ball down a fair bit.
“I was just trying to get a quick play-the-ball for Cameron McInnes. There was a man down so he jumped over.”
Latimore dismissed the incident as nothing more than an accident, the likes of which happen on a rugby league field dozens of times in a game.
However Smith said there was no way for him to be hit in that area accidentally.
“Well I thought I was in a position in the tackle where I can’t really get caught up in any stray elbows and knee,” Smith said.
“Put it that way.”
Chris
Roar Pro
Yes he went for it with the elbow but put him on report! Give a penalty for it! This isn't at all a justification. Saying its fine to punch him in the nuts isn't at all the right thing to do.
William Dalton Davis
Roar Rookie
It’s hardly a Cam Smith phenomenon. An 18 year old Payne Haas just copped a shoulder to the face rubbing him out of the rest of the match with concussion. An incident that was seemingly met with thunderous applause. Any criticism of the reaction was met with lines of “what’s he doing in the NRL then if he can’t handle it?” Schadenfreude is a very real, very mainstream attitude in Australian sports.
Brando Connor
Guest
No, take off your red and white glasses. There was nothing dodgy in the tackle. You are just trying to justify foul play that resulted in a try for your side.
Rod
Guest
But it was ok for Smith to go to town on Latimore head with his elbow in the ruck. Love Smith as a player and he is a competitor but he gets away with a fair bit himself
KenoathCarnt
Guest
What makes this even worse is that the hooker then deliberately targeted the the open space for a try terrible play all round from the Dragons.
Matt H
Roar Guru
Well played sir.
Matt H
Roar Guru
See the water in his eyes ...
Matt H
Roar Guru
Never seen him attack the crotch.
Matt H
Roar Guru
Exactly right. We don't want to set a precedent here. Even if not intentional (and let's face it, that's hard to prove), I think a week to send a message is needed. The argument that it should be let go "because it was Smith" is pretty dumb. It's like "I know I shot him, but he's a pr@#k so that's ok".
Paul
Roar Guru
Gold!!
The Barry
Roar Guru
The nether region...!
elvis
Guest
I don't know it you saw Milford's "kick to the balls", but he got a letter saying don't do it again or you are in trouble. I'd suggest something in that region.
Dodgy dragons
Guest
Man handling the officials!!! Life ban
Dodgy dragons
Guest
Couldn’t see any yellow sandpaper there emcie, maybe he used the cheap skin color tone from bunnings!!
Emcie
Roar Guru
Ball tampering is a pretty weighty crime in this country
Chris
Roar Pro
This is why rugby league is going backwards. Idiotic fans who say this. Yes as a Melbourne fan I am appalled this wasn't called back or even scrutinized at all. But just because it's Cameron Smith doesn't mean its all fine. Slowing the game down in the play the ball is competiton standard nowadays. You won't find a player in the game who has never wrestled in the ruck. If Smith was punched in the head and suffered a serious injury, most fans in the game would cheer, and that's just so low. No justification at all for this.
Paul
Roar Guru
What should Latimore be charged with and what penalty are people proposing he should receive? This type of incident happens hundreds of times every season. The only difference this time was it was Cameron Smith and he was hit in the nether region. If he was hit on any other part of the body lower than the neck, this would have been a non-issue, even if he went down with an 'injury". As for the penalty, I've seen people suggest weeks on the sidelines - for what? I don't think he should be charged at all, but of he is, a fine should suffice and perhaps a warning to Mr Smith to get off tackled players more quickly
soapit
Guest
yep dishes it out no problem but cant seem to take it. he might want to cast his mind back to when he kicked saac luke in the head.
Dodgy dragons
Guest
Nothing in it, Smith laying the elbow in his face and Latimore pushes him away to try and play the ball quickly. Cagged him no doubt , but if you play with matches all day, occasionally youre going to get burnt. Happens just about every tackle with guys thrashing about to play the ball quickly. The amount of times I’ve seen billy stater kick blokes in the head thrashing about and there is no outrage. Because Cam copped one in the goolies we are meant to stop the game and wait for them to come back down from his Adam’s apple and hold a royal commission.... spare me, it’s just one of those things, or two by the looks of it. Might have to be a set play for Freddy, not cattle dog, but sic balls!!!
The Barry
Roar Guru
Haha... Elvis performs / paraphrases U2! Brilliant lads!