Rugby league legend Andrew Johns has criticised the NRL after Sydney Roosters centre Fetalaiga Pauga was suspended for four matches for a high tackle that left Canterbury Bulldogs fullback Connor Tracey concussed. The incident occurred during Saturday night's match, with Pauga sent off for a late and high hit on Tracey.
Pauga was charged with a grade-two reckless high-tackle on Sunday, resulting in a four-match ban if he pleads guilty, or five matches if he challenges the charge and loses. Speaking on Channel Nine's Sunday Footy Show, Johns called the suspension too lenient, describing the tackle as 'awful' and 'hard to watch'.
Johns compared the hit to other recent incidents, including Joseph Sua'ali'i's high shot on Reece Walsh in State of Origin. He said Pauga's tackle was a 'stiff arm, an old-fashioned coathanger' and expressed surprise that Tracey did not suffer a broken jaw or leg. Fellow panellist Brad Fittler also questioned the four-week ban, while Sam Thaiday agreed it was 'pretty light'.
Roosters coach Trent Robinson acknowledged the tackle was 'not great' but emphasised the need to support Pauga. The suspension leaves the Roosters potentially fielding a sixth-string centre replacement.
