Rugby Football League announced a one-match ban for Russell Packer
Rugby Football League’s International Match Review Committee announced on Tuesday, October 18, a one-match ban for Russell Packer of New Zealand for his high hit on Kangaroos’ captain, Darren Lockyer. The impact
was made during the very first minute of Sunday’s Test in Newcastle, in which Kangaroos clinched a 42-6 victory against the Kiwis.
In lieu of the final decision announced by the match review panel, Packer will sit outside the inaugural fixture of the Four Nations in Warrington between the same two teams on October 28.
Lockyer of Kangaroos had already returned to the playing field after recovering from his fractured cheekbone while the prop was playing for Brisbane Broncos against St George Illawarra in the semi-final encounter
of the National Rugby League (NRL) almost a month ago.
However, during Sunday’s clash, Lockyer’s injured face was hit hard by Packer during the very first minute, which was reported to authorities by the English referee, Phil Bentham immediately.
This hard hit had displeased the Australian side immensely but their skipper kept his cool and refrained from categorising the act as an intentional hit.
When Lockyer was inquired by the media representatives about Packer’s hit, he sidelined the issue by saying that he does not want to create a real-life drama out of it. Therefore, he said that he is perfectly fine
with the match review panel’s final take on the case.
On the other hand, Australian side’s coach, Tim Sheen, was angered by the opponents’ brutal knock and gave his insights on the degree of punishment for Packer.
While commenting about Packer’s case, a furious Sheens said, "It's with the judiciary now and they will decide, but I'm glad someone pulled it up because it was pretty ordinary, I thought they were going to play
on."
The coach acknowledged that both sides managed to put up a good show as long as the clash was injury free. He said, "A Test match is a Test match, and there is a line between where a Test match is and going back
to the 60s, we don't want that.”
opening fixture of the Four Nations in Warrington between the Kangaroos and the Kiwis on October 28.
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