South Sydney star Damien Cook is keen to provide Tino Fa’asuamaleaui the good thing about the doubt as debate continues to swirl over the Queensland enforcer’s controversial operating type.
Fa’asuamaleaui is nearly the most effective prop within the recreation proper now, however coaches, specialists and even some gamers are divided on whether or not his approach is authorized following two ugly incidents in current weeks.
The Titans skipper was fined for harmful contact when he used his forearms as bumpers to push away from Bulldogs hooker Reed Mahoney, who was pressured off for a head damage evaluation final month.
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Fa’asuamaleaui was cleared to play the Origin opener after he averted suspension, however he was again within the highlight final week when he broke Api Koroisau’s jaw with an analogous motion that has dominated the Blues star out for the remainder of the collection.
The method he runs is just like how different huge males carry the ball ahead, and Cook stated he had no points tackling him only a few weeks in the past after they performed again in spherical 14.
“I didn’t have any contact where that happened to me,” he stated of their earlier assembly.
“You’d like to think there’s no intent in what he’s doing and it’s just a running technique where he wants to try to bump and find some space.
“It’s such a hard one because you don’t really know if front-rowers are just coming in with their bumpers up trying to do that or whether they are trying to cause a bit of damage. I wouldn’t think so.
“I’ve obviously seen those two incidents, and it’s tough because a lot of front-rowers do it. I don’t know how you can fix it because I don’t think there was any intent there, but there are two hookers who he did get hit in the head.
“I guess I’m in the firing line.”
Koroisau’s damage means Cook comes straight again into the aspect after he missed out on choice for the sport in Adelaide.
The veteran rake has represented his state 15 instances however admits he wouldn’t be taking part in subsequent Wednesday had Koroisau not been injured.
“It’s unfortunate what happened to Api and you don’t want to see that happen at all,” Cook stated.
“Reed came off with an HIA and then Api came off with a really bad injury which means he misses out here but it also hurts the Tigers.
“They’re starting to play some really good footy and they’ve started to find some combinations in attack, but now they’ve lost him for 10 weeks and we’ve lost him for the Blues.
“If that didn’t happen then he’d be starting next week and he’d be starting all three games.”
Opinion is split on whether or not Fa’asuamaleaui ought to have been suspended, though the Titans skipper is adamant he’s achieved nothing unsuitable.
“It’s like the hip-drop tackle. We don’t know what the right penalties are at the moment, and this has come to light now,” Cook stated.
“There are people in better positions than me to decide if it should be a suspension. There are a lot of front-rowers who call it their technique as they look for quick play the balls. I don’t think they’re (deliberately) trying to cause damage.”
Cook is trying ahead to the problem of taking over Fa’asuamaleaui and the Maroons ahead pack, with the 31-year-old determined to assist stage the collection after the heartbreak of shedding his jersey for recreation one.
“‘Cooky’ is probably one of the most resilient people I know, and anyone who knows his story knows he started late and had to deal with plenty of setbacks so he’s no stranger to this,” NSW and South Sydney teammate Cam Murray stated.
“He always comes back stronger and proves people wrong, and I think we’ve seen vintage Cooky this season when he’s come out and been able to prove people wrong with great performances.
“I’m stoked he’s back in the team because he’s hungry to do his state proud. I can’t wait to share some more memories with him in the Origin arena.”
Source: www.foxsports.com.au