Warriors cop brutal new setback as anger mounts over NRL's response to illegal act
But the Warriors are reportedly 'fuming' about the grading and the two-game ban for Kaufusi, after seeing their playe wiped out for the rest of the regular season, as a result of the tackle. It's understood the Auckland-based club are calling on the NRL to implement a change to their judiciary process that takes into account the extent of injury to players, before suspensions are handed down.
Laban was in obvious pain after being hit low from Kaufusi in the second half of his side's heartbreaking late defeat to the Dolphins, with Faufusi subsequently sent to the sin bin. The Warriors forward was already wrapped up in the tackle by two other Dolphins defenders when Kaufusi entered the fray as the third man in and targeted his legs, causing them to twist awkwardly and leaving Laban crying out in agony.
The back-rower was helped off the field by Warriors medical staff and played no further part in the contest as Jamayne Isaako snatched a 20-18 win for the Dolphins with a try in the dying stages. It's since been confirmed that Laban suffered a broken leg and is set to be sidelined for at least the next six weeks, continuing a wretched spate of injuries for the Warriors. They are already missing a host of first-team regulars including Mitch Barnett, Luke Metcalf, Rocco Berry and James Fisher-Harris and have seen their top-four hopes take a massive hit.
Warriors question two-game ban for Felise Kaufusi
And according to Code Sports, furious Warriors officials believe the match review committee should have upgraded Kaufusi's charge and handed him a longer suspension after learning the extent of Laban's injury. The NRL has maintained that charges for illegal acts are made on the basis of potential 'risk of injury', rather than the 'outcome of injury'.
But the Warriors are unhappy that the charge was handed down to Kaufusi before they'd received confirmation of Laban's broken leg. And it's led to questions about why the NRL didn't choose to adopt a new rule brought in by the ARL Commission, that could have seen Kaufusi hit with a more significant suspension.
The ARLC recently announced a change to the judiciary process that gives it powers to upgrade or downgrade charges, and even hand down fresh sanctions for on-field incidents. And the Warriors clearly believe Kaufusi's punishment is incongruous with the damage done to their player.
Andrew Johns wants third man in tackles stamped out of NRL
Kaufusi's suspension comes after league 'Immortal' Andrew Johns called on the NRL to crack down hard on third man in tackles to try and eliminate the controversial practice from the game. His fury came after Karl Lawton's tackle on Siua Wong in June that left the Roosters star with a serious knee injury and saw the Cowboys forward slapped with a two-game ban.
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"It's dangerous, I hate it," Johns told Nine about the incident at the time. "If you have two players in the tackle, and momentum is pretty much (stopped), that third man shouldn't be able to go in like that. A couple of years ago we saw Liam Knight get hit from behind and it pretty much destroyed every ligament in his knee.
"The player cannot see it coming. And what's come into the game is they back into the tackle so they can see the third man coming in and spearing at the knee. And what's happened with that happening is we have crushers coming into the game, because of players turning and twisting looking for that third man."
Andrew Webster confirmed Jacob Laban out for 4-6 weeks with leg fracture after Kaufisi tackle. He didnt comment too much, but is obvious club are very displeased that injury to Laban wasn't taken into account when assessing Kaufisi punishment. @NZWarriors @nzheraldsport
— Michael Burgess (@mikeburgess99) August 5, 2025
The Warriors are seething after the cannonball tackle that injured Jacob Laban resulted in a broken leg.That saw Felise Kaufusi charged with a grade two offence.The NRL rejected to implement their controversial new rule that allows the ARLC to upgrade Kaufusi's charge.📝 DT
— The League Scene (@LeagueScenePod) August 4, 2025
These tackles are squarely the fault of the nrl and referees. In days gone once called held, play the ball, no passing, no post contact metres, no throwing to the ground - no walking off the mark. Now they let it go calling held 3 or 4 times. Players then come in late.
— Joey M (@JoeyM38668349) August 4, 2025
They shouldn't need to implement additional powers. If the people in the MRC are being too soft, direct them to get tougher or sack them and replace them with people who will.
— Jeff Smith (@Jeffro6366) August 4, 2025
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