Debate continues to rage over the incident that left NSW star Api Koroisau’s jaw damaged with the NRL 360 panel participating in a heated argument as Braith Anasta questioned how Tino Fa’asuamaleaui went unpunished.
Titans and Maroons enforcer Fa’asuamaleaui prevented any cost after a forearm in Thursday night time’s win to the Titans left Blues and Tigers hooker Koroisau with a badly damaged jaw.
The damage was attributable to contact made with Fa’asuamaleaui in assault however the Match Review Committee decided the participant “was not leading with the forearm or the elbow”.
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Tino avoids cost after Koroisau conflict | 01:06
NRL 360 host Anasta was not having it although, stating Fa’asuamaleaui was concerned in an analogous incident two weeks earlier — receiving a $1800 wonderful for harmful contact when his elbow, whereas carrying the ball, collected Bulldogs skipper Reed Mahoney.
“Can I just say something? This is my opinion … The game has changed significantly over the years. The NRL has introduced the HIAs, they’re trying to protect players while playing the game and post-footy,” Anasta stated.
““You talk about Alzheimer’s, dementia, CTE, they even ruined Magic Round a few years ago, with the high shots (and sin bins).
“Now all of a sudden, when you’re defending you can’t attack or go near the head but when you’ve got the ball in hand it doesn’t matter?”
The remark sparked fierce debate with Queensland legender Gorden Tallis hitting again: “So you can’t run aggressively?”
Anasta responded: “Are you telling me that he didn’t look Reed Mahoney in the eye two weeks ago and concussed him, now he’s broken someone else’s jaw … he’s broken someone’s jaw!
“Is there not any responsibility of the ball carrier to not make contact with the head?”
Daily Telegraph reporter Phil Rothfield sided with Anasta that Fa’asuamaleaui ought to have been punished however reporter Brent Read defended the Titans star in what turned a heated dialogue.
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“It’s a little bit disrespectful!” | 02:16
Brent Read: Can you inform me how that contact might have been prevented?
Braith Anasta: Look at that! You’re telling me he didn’t look Api within the eyes and lift his forearm?
BR: He didn’t increase his forearm
BA: So it was unavoidable?
BR: He’s run at Api and he hasn’t raised his arm
Phil Rothfield: I’m disagreeing with you that he hasn’t raised his arm, I can see him go like that…
BR: After contact
BA: Are we not involved in regards to the head any extra?
BR: OK, so if that’s the case any time a participant goes to make a sort out, will get his head within the unsuitable determination, let’s droop the bloke operating the ball for six weeks?
BA: Are you critical?
BR: Well that’s what you’re saying?
BA: No I’m not I’m saying that, he’s put his elbow up and he’s contacted him within the head.
BR: He didn’t although.
BA: We’ve modified the sport, we’ve modified the principles … we’ve virtually ruined that sport at instances and all people’s complaining however now it doesn’t matter?
Watch the complete debate within the video participant above.
Source: www.foxsports.com.au