Sydney Roosters coach Trent Robinson has launched a comprehensive defence of forward Dylan Napa after a controversial sin-binning that could have State of Origin implications.
The incumbent Queensland enforcer was marched by referee Gerard Sutton in the 75th minute for dangerously leading with his head in a clash that felled Brisbane forward Korbin Sims.
The Broncos scored the match-winner through exciting winger Jamayne Isaako minutes later to cap a frenetic 28-22 Suncorp Stadium victory.
Robinson didn’t blame the call for the loss but strongly disagreed with the decision in a well-articulated defence of Napa’s integrity and technique.
“He (Sims) stepped off the right, rolled into the head of Dylan, Dylan wasn’t even looking sideways and they’ve called that he intentionally went to knock him out with his head … it’s just wrong,” Robinson said.
“It’s no one’s fault there, you’re allowed to be physical in our game and if someone wants to step off their right foot to avoid the contact with the left shoulder he’s got to go across the head to the other side of the body – and he didn’t get there … that’s how they clashed heads.
“There’s other issues there why we didn’t win the game, but that’s a gross error and unacceptable at this level.”
Retired Broncos Gorden Tallis and Ben Hannant were among the many critics of the sin-binning, both labelling it ridiculous during Triple M’s coverage of the game.
Tallis was particularly scathing, saying every player was taught to tackle that way and the contact was simply accidental.
Napa has carried over 75 points after an early guilty plea last round and will wait anxiously on the verdict ahead of the 6 June Origin opener.
The club may even risk contesting the charge, given Robinson believed it wasn’t even a penalty.
“Yeah, it was the wrong call, pretty simply,” the coach said.
“It happens in our game, is unfortunate for Korbin but it’s not a penalty or a sin bin … it’s a horrible call.”
Brisbane coach Wayne Bennett wouldn’t comment on the incident other than to say the tackle was “not a great look”, but did say that Sims seemed to escape unscathed.
Pool
Roar Rookie
As usual NRL doesn’t suspend Napa. They’re biased against non-Sydney teams. Should we suspend Napa when he breaks someone’s jaw? No we shouldn’t he’s in a Sydney team. Should we punish the Storm for breaching the salary cap? Yes but let’s make it more harsh than Cronulla’s because they’re not Sydney.
uglykiwi
Roar Pro
maybe I went a little hard there; it was 7:30am on Saturday..... re-matched the incident many times, and he did lead with the head and no attempt to use arms...... if it had of been his shoulder that hit him and not his head, would he have copped a suspension? I think he would have.... So is there a difference? thats the question.
Dan
Guest
I'm glad Napa was binned. Launching yourself at a player without any regard for technique is highly dangerous.
Ginger Meggs
Guest
Napa’s tackle a shocker. He went in high for a big shot, got it wrong and attempted to correct it by trying to butt Sums in the face with his head. Heads can do a lot of damage to a face. A very popular way of winning an argument in Liverpool and Glasgow. Should have received a long suspension but Queensland has lost its irreplaceable spine plus forwards Scott, Gilet and Parker. On his form this year Napa would not have made a Queensland team but now they will be scratching for a competitive pack. And the NRL can’t abide a one-sided SOO. So Napa’s tackle wasn’t careless, dangerous, or anything out of the ordinary really. Just a big guy playin’ tough.
Rob
Guest
The Blue eye is wide awake at this time of the year.
Rob
Guest
Ok . Obviously a sore point. You did carry on about the suspension and defended his actions at the time. My point is people on this blog often see things in a bias manner. If Napa deserves a suspension so be it but the contact with the head was more accidental than 80% of Tyron Peachy’s and Maloney’s tackles every week. Let’s get serious about all head contact. The NRL are guilty of punishing an injury and ignoring the offence to often. Lamb coat hanger on Hanley was a hell of a lot more deliberate. The punishment?
Paul C
Guest
JM, We will have to agree to disagree. In my Junior days we played for a Cup half way through the season donated by a Father, in memory of his son who was died of a broken neck from a lifting tackle that landed him on head first. In a Northern Qld town where I worked for 12 months there was a local man who would walk his kids to school & go to the shop with a note because he couldn't remember the simplest tasks as he to had been dumped on his head during a game. Yes it was brutal in the 60's & we shouldn't return to those days.
JM
Guest
Paul C I don't disagree with you I am disagreeing with Sutton and the video ref. But I do disagree with you saying he should be banned. He's like any player. Trains hard, busts his arse every week for his club and he should be banned for trying to be physical?? Been plenty of forwards just like him, so sounds like you have a problem with him personally. I for one like the big hits and think the game has been watered down over the years. If there's no tough stuff I wouldn't want to watch it. And for the record, the judiciary didn't agree with Sutton, the video ref or you in saying that it was dangerous. Cleared straight away as he should be C'mon old mate, that would've been a love tap back in the 60's when you were playing!!
Paul C
Guest
JM, The point I am making is that Clint Newtons tackle was deemed "Dangerous & so was Napa's deemed "Dangerous". I wasn't comparing both incidents only that they were both deemed dangerous. Napa has developed a pseudo shoulder charge that has to be banned before a player is seriously & permanently injured. JM, you don't have to agree with me, I am making my point on the Napa incident as one who has followed as a Player & Fan since 1956.
ChristopherGrant
Guest
Hilarious... All the experts calling for suspension and Napa gets cleared.. Well done :)
Steve
Guest
Have a cry Robo. Just recruit another 3 or 4 players "under" your salary cap.
JM
Guest
Paul C, I don't think you can compare the 2 tackles. Interestingly that tackle was on Ashton Simms. It's a funny game hey! Newton flew in with a raised elbow in that one. It was a shocking attempt, deserved a lengthy suspension and definitely looked intentional. You can see it on YouTube. It's the inconsistency that riles me. A head clash is always called an accident and this time it was called intentional. And it ruined a great game. I also think that to hit your head against another guys head while running at pace and side stepping is a lot harder to do than a lot of people have been making out!
bearfax
Guest
This one was one of the worst I've see, despite the astonishing comments from the commentary team. But I agree with your general sentiments. Action against the head of an opponent should be kicked out more aggressivelty. Oh for the days of Comans( and I should point out that we lost Boyd for a year and a half through him, but it cleaned up the game).
Paul C
Guest
JM, Go back several years ago when Clint Newton was playing for Newcastle & a tackle he was making went terribly wrong. He spent a lengthy suspension on the sideline after the tackle was deemed "Dangerous". Napa's tackle was deemed "Dangerous' also. The Referee could be heard telling the Roosters Captain.
Matt P
Roar Rookie
I agree, consistency is critical. I can't remember too many foul play sin bins in the recent past either... but doesn't change that imo Napa's charge warranted it. I can't really think off the top of my head of any foul play that really warranted a sin bin though, either. When all the rubbish with blocking kick chasers was still enforced, I didn't complain when it was called; I was happy that they actually did it. That's more the point I was trying to get at, the initial reaction should be to hope that they do actually then start calling them more. If they don't, then fair enough, you'd have a case there. Wasn't that what we were all coming up with in regards to the Soliola hit last year (those of us who thought it was a send-off, anyway)? That all those past examples were cases that should've been send offs, and that hopefully the memo should start going around that send offs need to happen again? This needs to be treated the same way. Hopefully (regardless of whatever the MRC comes up with), this does actually happen more consistently; that sort of "tackle" needs to be stamped out regardless.
JM
Guest
In my opinion it should have been knock on, roosters ball. Unfortunate as it was seeing Simms get brained like that, the fact is it happens on a regular basis. Always with a different result. That is-an accident, play on. Simms saw the left shoulder coming, tried to step around it and caught it on the jaw. Napa followed him as he stepped and I agree it looked bad. But not intentional. Anyone suggesting that is kidding. What player would intentionally lead with his head risking serious injury to himself or worse still leaving his team short?? Napa was in the act as he stepped and it was a split second reaction. We all love seeing the big blokes go at each other so we can't have it both ways. That is first grade rugby league. Players will always get knocked out just like boxing.In my 35+ years of watching league I can't remember seeing a call like this. Sutton is not up to this level and has shown it time and time again.
Matt P
Roar Rookie
I'll pay that link, title aside. Guilty as charged.
SteveSyd
Guest
When I saw the incident i immediately reflected on James Graham's so called head collisions against the Rabbitohs which were deemed legal. In the 2014 GF he lined up Surgess from the kick off and didnt miss fracturing his cheekbone. Later on he lined up Tyrrell who had to go off. During the season he lined up Tyrrell again and didnt miss. But Sammy was awake to him last week against the Dragons and waited for the moment Graham was to put that one on him. This time Sammy saw Graham coming at him full pelt for a head clash and with the ball tucked under his arm Sam turned away and lifted his shoulder slightly for Graham's head to make full contact with Sam's shoulder and when he did James Graham went down and looked rocked as he collapsed to his knees. Don't think Graham will try that one again for while. Napa needs 1 or 2 of those when he puts on that grub act. He is a replica of his old man when he was playing. Not much in skills like his son but a cheap shot merchant who was renowned for king hits and taking players out behind the play with the big difference being there weren't 50 cameras recording all that went on the field.
kk
Guest
WTF . MRC ruled he had no charge to answer.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Mate, don’t misquote me and take comments out of context from years ago. I didn’t say Kasiano’s studs were accidental. I said he lashed out with his boot and hit Parker in the face. What I said was that I didn’t think he deliberately tried to kick Parker in the face. I also said Kasiano deserved to get suspended. But so what? That’s got absolutely zero to do with this tackle. Completely unrelated and irrelevant.