Broncos prop Martin Taupau said he would have to “tackle upside down” in order to not fall foul of the officials after being sanctioned for a collision that left Raiders winger Jordan Rapana with a sickening head injury.
Late in the Raiders’ upset 20-14 victory over the Broncos on Saturday night, Rapana claimed an Adam Reynolds bomb, but was caught by Taupau’s knee as he went to ground.
The incident appeared relatively innocuous in real time, but the gruesome aftermath soon became apparent when blood poured onto the Lang Park turf, leaving Rapana in considerable distress.
The winger, who scored a try in each half, was carted off after a lengthy delay as he received treatment.
First-year Bronco Taupau — who has also played for the Sea Eagles, Tigers and Bulldogs in a 227-game, 14-year NRL career — was then placed on report by referee Grant Atkins, despite any contact appearing to be purely accidental.
“There definitely wasn’t any malice in that,” Taupau told ABC Sport post-match.
“Obviously, in a contact sport you’re trying to do your very best to stay within the rules.
“I feel pretty saddened obviously with the injury he’s gotten out of that, but … in that instance, what do I do?
“Obviously there’s every intention of me trying to make a legal tackle … it was an accident, but yeah, what do you do? That’s the question.”
The bunker advised that Taupau’s knees were low and his hands high, something Taupau said was “pretty ridiculous”.
“Obviously your arms are higher than your knees,” he said.
“What would you expect me to do? Make a tackle upside down?
“Honestly, I’m baffled. I don’t know what to do.
“Do you want me to dive head first into the ground and try and tackle the ankles? More injuries will come from that.”
Although the incident did appear to be an accident, Raiders halfback Jamal Fogarty said the bunker made the correct decision and that player welfare should be prioritised in instances where head injuries occur.
“You know what, I don’t think it was a big call,” he told ABC Sport.
“If that was a Broncos player, he catches the ball, he loses it because he is unconscious, bleeding from the head … I’m glad, one thing the bunker did, they overturned it, it’s common sense.
“Player welfare first, you don’t want any player to go into that state.
“I’m very proud of the bunker for overturning that call at such a crucial time but in saying that, I don’t think it’s a crucial call, I think it’s the common sense one, player welfare first.”
Taupau said he would have to wait to see whether he will face any further sanction after the match is reviewed.
“I guess I just have to cop that on the chin wait until what happens on Monday or Tuesday with the review and I guess go from there.”
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