Issac Luke cautioned; no suspension - Rugby League news
New Zealand officials have issued a warning for Kiwi hooker, Issac Luke, because of his dangerous “cannon ball tackle”, on Tuesday, November 1. However, the player will not be suspended from Saturday’s encounter against Wales, which was what many observers
had speculated.
The player has committing the offence twice in two weeks’ time, which has angered many Australians, especially Kangaroos’ coach, Tim Sheens.
In Friday’s clash against Australia at Halliwell Jones Stadium, the hooker along with Simon Mannering and Jared Whaerea-Hargreaves slashed his cannonball move on the Australian prop, David Shillington. Shillington was left writhing in pain and had to undergo
a lengthy on-field knee treatment. Despite the fact that the player was severely injured, the offence was not reported by the English referee, Phil Bentham. This negligence by the referee has further angered the Australian side. According to the general opinion,
the case should have been reported promptly to the higher authorities.
Prior to this on-field offence, Luke had also attempted a similar cannonball tackle on Sam Thaiday in Newcastle almost two weeks ago.
However, the International Match Review panel looked into the case for review and their decision has surfaced today, which has cautioned the player from similar attempts.
The decision has been released by the match review panel which includes former Huddersfield head coach Jon Sharp, New Zealand official Marc Harris and Australian Stuart Raper, who is in charge of referees in the National Rugby League (NRL).
Shillington was so severely injured, that he feared another knee reconstruction procedure, after Issac’s dangerous tackle. He has already gone through the procedure twice.
While talking to the media reporters, Kiwis assistant coach, Tony Iro, admitted that the Thaiday’s injury was worse than Shillington's. He said, "He's a real competitive player, Issac. Obviously when you get stuff like that in the media it will probably
make him have a real good look at it. I actually didn't think the tackle this time was as bad as the first one. With the game the way it is, it's funny because the Australian, English and New Zealand sides all know that the first rule of rugby league is to
control the play-the-ball. That's what every team tries to do and some of those tackles aren't going to come off the right way all the time."
Tags: