Canberra fullback Jordan Rapana has escaped suspension after becoming the latest NRL player scrutinised for putting illegal pressure on a kicker.
But teammate Josh Papalii wasn’t so lucky, receiving a one-match ban for the hip-drop tackle that left Viliame Kikau in agony during the Raiders’ defeat of Canterbury.
With five minutes remaining in the first game of Magic Round, Rapana went on report for colliding with Bulldogs hooker Reed Mahoney, who had put up a chip kick and broken through the Raiders defence.
Replays showed an airborne Rapana had struck Mahoney with his leg after the hooker kicked, knocking him to the ground.
Rapana was permitted to remain on the field which denied the Bulldogs the chance to chase the game with a numerical advantage.
But coach Cameron Ciraldo refused to blame the lack of a sin-bin for his side’s eventual 24-20 loss.
“We had 36 tackles inside their 20 and didn’t come up with anything there, either,” he said.
“We have to fix our mentality towards attack, more than getting more opportunities down there. That was the major problem.”
On Saturday morning, the match review committee cited Rapana for grade-one dangerous contact (tripping).
The veteran can accept a $1,000 fine as an early guilty plea, or risk paying $1,500 by pleading his case at the judiciary.
The NRL has been quick to penalise players for putting pressure on kickers this year.
The ugliest shots have resulted in player’s legs being taken out after kicking the ball with Penrith playmaker Brad Schnedier and South Sydney’s Lachlan Ilias both injured by similar moves.
