Fury over ban for Panthers player after Parramatta rival cops season-ending injury
The breakout Eels forward was having a brilliant debut season, but he's unlikely to play again in 2025. The Eels revealed on Tuesday that Kautoga requires surgery on his foot and will miss 6-8 weeks. With just eight games remaining in the regular season, it's unlikely that Kautoga will get back on the field.
The news about Kautoga's season-ending injury has sparked fresh fury that Tago will only miss one match. Because it's the Panthers centre's first hip-drop offence, he got off fairly lightly.
Kitione Kautoga suffered a syndesmosis injury and will undergo surgery to have it repaired. He will be out for 8 weeks. Therefore his season is over. https://t.co/V59R7Db0Hw
— NRLCentral (@centralNRL) July 15, 2025
But fans are questioning why players are still performing hip-drop tackles when they've been banned for the last few years. And considering how long it's been an issue, many feel a one-game suspension simply isn't good enough.
One fan wrote on social media: "Kautoga is out for the season after Tago's hip drop. Tago gets 1 week. Meanwhile Ryley Smith, Kelma Tuilagi and Will Penisini are yet to return from tackles that injured no one."
Another wrote: "A 1 week suspension for a first hip drop offence is laughably inadequate if the NRL want to be serious about cracking down on them." While others labelled the punishment a "joke" and a "farce".
So he's had surgery and out for the rest of the season and Tago got how many weeks suspension? 1 bloody week.Tuilagi gets 3 weeks for a crusher where JDB gets up and plays on.The @NRL needs to make the suspension fit the crime.
— DOC🇦🇺🇦🇺 (@drmeinoz) July 15, 2025
Make it make sense @NRL
— Sandy (@sandyhunter2) July 15, 2025
That is a massive slap on the wrist - won't deter players from doing it again. Good job NRL
— Burkey (@Allblackjack) July 15, 2025
And tago gets 1 week? 😂😂😂
— Jeremy Borg (@mgrjez) July 15, 2025
Adding to the frustration of Parramatta fans was the fact Tago's tackle wasn't even penalised at the time. If the on-field referee and Bunker official had spotted it, Tago would have likely been sin-binned.
When asked if it was frustrating that Tago's tackle didn't draw a penalty, Parramatta coach Jason Ryles said: "Very". He added: "We've had a couple of syndesmosis injuries this year, so our performance team's had a bit of practice on rehabbing them."
Less than a minute after Kautoga limped from the field, the Panthers took the half-time lead through a Luke Garner try and never relinquished it. Tago will miss Friday night's game against South Sydney, but the Panthers have the luxury of slotting State of Origin star Brian To'o into the backline to replace him.
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Tago's ban comes after Panthers teammate Scott Sorensen also copped a two-game suspension for a hip-drop-style tackle that injured Warriors winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak in Round 16. Coincidentally, Sorensen is back this week in a timely boost with Nathan Cleary and Isaah Yeo rested.
As for the Eels, Jack Williams has shifted to second-row against Canberra to replace the injured Kautoga, with J'maine Hopgood named to start at prop. Charlie Guymer retains his place in the back-row after playing 80 minutes there against Penrith.
with AAP
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