Latest news with #hipdrop
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Dragons forward cops brutal news as Cowboys player learns NRL fate over incident
The NRL has slapped Cowboys forward Karl Lawton with a two-game ban after a hip-drop tackle on Jaydn Su'A that may ended the Dragons forward's season. Lawton was hit with a grade two dangerous contact charge for the incident which forced Su'A from the field during the second half of the Cowboys' 38-32 win in Townsville on Friday night. The victory saw Todd Payten's side leapfrog the Dragons into 11th spot on the ladder and kept their slim finals hopes alive. But it has come at a cost for the Cowboys, with Lawton banned for the second time this season for a tackle that had eery similarities to one that injured Roosters star Siua Wong last month. League Immortal Andrew Johns called for a crackdown on 'third man in tackles' after Lawton's previous offence on Wong, and the Cowboys star found himself in hot water again during a similar incident on Friday night. Lawton was placed on report for the 51st minute tackle that saw him target Su'A's legs after the Dragons forward was already wrapped up by two North Queensland tacklers. The force of Lawton's body weight fell on Su'A's leg and he went down in immediate pain, before being helped from the field by Dragons medical staff. It later emerged that Su'A had suffered a suspected MCL injury to his knee, with the Dragons' medical staff suggesting he could be sidelined for four to six weeks. Given the Dragons only have six games left in the regular season, and sit six points outside the top-eight, there is the distinct possibility it is a season-ending injury for the former rep forward. And it's another major blow to the injury-ravaged Dragons' slim hopes of playing finals footy, despite coach Shane Flanagan insisting after the game that they have not given up on the possibility. Lawton's suspension is also a major setback to North Queensland's hopes of finishing the regular season inside the top-eight, having snapped a worrying run of form with victory on Friday night. Lawton miss the Cowboys' next two games against the Sharks and Eels with an early guilty plea, and faces a third game out if he fights the charge and loses. Jaydn Su'a left the field in Round 21 after suffering a knee injury. No report from Dragons medical staff as yet on initial shows contact mechanism with tackler coming down on outside of lower leg causing knee to collapse concern for MCL injury - if… — NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) July 25, 2025 The Dragons fear that Jaydn Su'a will miss the remainder of the season after sustaining an MCL injury in an illegal tackle by Karl Lawton. This is the second time Lawton has injured a player this way, after returning from suspension for a similar incident with Siua Wong. — The League Scene (@LeagueScenePod) July 26, 2025 Fair — Jake Carden (@JakeCarden13) July 26, 2025 He and the Dragons can't take a trick with injuries. Lawton now has a 2 match ban. Only have the Raiders next week! — Martin (@hammersaint) July 26, 2025 RELATED: Fans same thing about Walsh as teammate issue adds to Broncos woes Munster 'open' to move to rival club as big claim made about Storm's call Unused camera angle that shows NRL world fooled by optical illusion Storm receive good news on Jahrome Hughes injury Meanwhile, the Melbourne Storm have received better news on the injury front around their star halfback Jahrome Hughes, who could return from a dislocated shoulder in time for the finals. Hughes injured his shoulder in the second half of Thursday night's win over the Roosters and had to be rushed to hospital as medical staff couldn't get the joint back into place. Subsequent scans revealed there was no damage to the bone and that Hughes would not require immediate surgery but he still has to undergo an MRI scan to test for further damage. However, the second-placed Storm are hopeful Hughes will be able to return after a six-week absence, putting the reigning Dally M Medal winner in line for a comeback in their final game of the regular season against Brisbane in round 27. Scans confirm Jahrome Hughes won't need immediate surgery after dislocating his shoulder - will rehab for 6 weeks & Storm hoping to have him back for risk the main concern with these - even though reconstruction avoided for now there is often a degree of… — NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) July 26, 2025
Yahoo
15-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Fury over ban for Panthers player after Parramatta rival cops season-ending injury
NRL fans are questioning why Panthers centre Izack Tago only copped a one-game suspension for a hip-drop tackle that has all-but ended the season of Parramatta forward Kitione Kautoga. Tago was hit with a grade two charge for dangerous contact and received a one-game ban, after his tackle saw Kautoga suffer a syndesmosis injury on Sunday. 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. — 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 gets 3 weeks for a crusher where JDB gets up and plays @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. RELATED: Knights offer contracts to two State of Origin players amid Ponga blow New footage highlights truth about Broncos after Walsh and Staggs clash 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
Yahoo
14-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Panthers' fifth-straight victory comes at a cost
Izack Tago has become the second Penrith player in a month to be banned for a hip-drop style tackle that was missed by the on-field referee. Tago has been offered a one-game suspension for the shot that injured Kitione Kautoga late in the first half of the Panthers' 32-10 win over Parramatta on Sunday. Eels second-rower Kautoga was unable to finish the game, with coach Jason Ryles indicating he had suffered syndesmosis injury in his left ankle. "He'll probably miss a couple of weeks now. He's in a boot," Ryles said. "We've had a couple of syndesmosis this year so our performance team's had a bit of practice on rehabbing them." Ryles would not be drawn to comment on Tago's tackle, other than to say it was "very" frustrating that referee Peter Gough had not paid the Eels a penalty at the time. Less than a minute after Kautoga limped from the field, the Panthers took the half-time lead through Luke Garner and never trailed again. Tago will miss Friday's match against South Sydney if he pleads guilty to grade-two dangerous contact and would risk also missing the next game against Wests Tigers by challenging the charge. His ban comes after Panthers teammate Scott Sorensen accepted a two-game ban for the hip-drop-style tackle that injured Dallin Watene-Zelezniak's ankle in the round-16 win over the Warriors. On that occasion, Sorensen also went unpenalised on-field, though he was placed on report at half-time. Four-time premiership-winner Sorensen is set to return from suspension and face the Rabbitohs at Accor Stadium, where the Panthers will hunt a sixth consecutive win. The Panthers could keep Paul Alamoti in the backline for that game following a strong performance against the Eels, or may move Garner to the centres in Tago's place.
Yahoo
13-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Panthers player facing suspension over illegal act that injured Parramatta rival
Panthers centre Izack Tago is likely to attract scrutiny from the NRL match review committee, and could be facing suspension for an ugly tackle on Parramatta player Kitione Kautoga on Sunday. Kautoga limped from the field and was seen with his foot in an ice bucket in the second half, after he appeared to cop an illegal hip-drop tackle from Tago. Tago dragged down Kautoga from behind and swivelled so that his body came down on top of the Eels forward's legs. It appeared a textbook example of a hip-drop tackle, but the on-field referee and Bunker official completely missed it. Tago appeared extremely lucky not to be sin-binned, but it's unlikely he'll be spared by the match review committee on Monday. Parramatta coach Jason Ryles revealed after the game that Kautoga is likely to miss multiple weeks with a syndesmosis injury. "It got him," Ryles said of the tackle. "He'll probably miss a couple of weeks now. He's in a moon-boot so we'll just manage it as like we have with the other syndesmosis injuries we've had this year." When asked if he was frustrated the tackle went unpunished on the field, Ryles replied: "Very." Kitione Kautoga will go for scans on a left ankle injury - contact mechanism with weight of tackler coming down on legs causing external rotation of footVideo brings concern for syndesmosis injury - will be lucky to escape with low grade damage considering force involved. — NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) July 13, 2025 The fact Tago was allowed to stay on the field was compounded when he scored in the 54th minute. The try put the Panthers up 18-10 in the second half, and they went on to win 32-10. Kautago has been a shining light for the Eels in a disappointing 2025 season, and scored a scything try in the 14th minute. He looked a picture of frustration as he sat on the sidelines with his foot heavily iced and his hood over his head. "Tago on Kautoga, about as textbook as a hip drop can be," one person wrote on social media. "No penalty/sin bin and Parra lose a player to injury." It wasn't the only contentious moment that left Parramatta fans fuming. Josh Addo-Carr was pinged for an illegal play-the-ball when he failed to use his foot correctly, and it led to the Panthers getting possession and scoring soon after. Eels fans were left crying foul when Matt Eisenhuth produced a similar play-the-ball in the lead-up to another Panthers try, but the officials failed to spot it. One person commented: "So we get pulled up for an incorrect play the ball, but Penrith are allowed just to lift their foot as high as they want." It's play on for the Panthers! One of the reasons why they keep winning games, they do this every game and get fast play the balls! But hey play on I guess! #NRLEelsPanthers #NRL — Abbz83 (@abbz83) July 13, 2025 Are we surprised that a panther didn't play the ball correctly. They were the worst for it and rarely get called for it #NRLEelsPanthers — gemma rogers (@gemma92rogers) July 13, 2025 RELATED: Nicho Hynes reveals gesture for Cameron Munster after tragedy NRL club urged to make immediate move to sign Cameron Smith The win for the Panthers continued their stunning resurgence, with Ivan Cleary's side sitting sixth on the ladder after 19 rounds. They were perilously close to sitting last on the ladder less than two months ago. "We lost five in a row and we just won five in a row, so it's taken a long time to get the ledger back," said coach Cleary. "We'll finish where we deserve. We're still trying to build, we need to play better than what we did today. We did enough."
