Canberra Raiders veteran Jordan Rapana has launched a scathing attack on NRL match officials after Newcastle Knights forward Tyson Frizell escaped a sin-binning for a brutal high tackle that left Rapana concussed and unable to finish Saturday's match.
'Inconsistent and Frustrating': Rapana's Blunt Assessment
The incident occurred during the Raiders' 28-24 victory over Newcastle when Frizell's shoulder made direct contact with Rapana's head in a tackle that left the fullback dazed and stumbling.
'If that's not a sin-bin, I don't know what is,' an exasperated Rapana told reporters post-match. 'It's incredibly frustrating when you see similar incidents punished differently week to week. Player safety should be the priority.'
Match Officials Under Fire
Despite the obvious force of the collision and Rapana requiring a Head Injury Assessment, referee Grant Atkins and the Bunker officials deemed the contact only worthy of a penalty, leaving Frizell on the field for the remainder of the contest.
The decision has reignited debate around the NRL's consistency in policing high shots, with several pundits questioning why Frizell wasn't sent to the sin-bin for the dangerous contact.
Raiders Battle Through Adversity
Canberra showed tremendous resilience to secure the victory despite losing their experienced fullback, with coach Ricky Stuart praising his team's character while diplomatically avoiding direct criticism of the officiating.
The incident comes amid the NRL's continued crackdown on high contact, making the decision not to sin-bin Frizell all the more puzzling for players and fans alike.
With concussion protocols under increased scrutiny across contact sports worldwide, this latest controversy puts further pressure on NRL officials to maintain consistent standards when protecting player welfare.
