Luciano Leilua Faces One-Game Ban for Dangerous Contact
Dragons forward Luciano Leilua has been handed a one-game ban for dangerous contact, marking another setback for the struggling club. The incident occurred during the Dragons’ 62-12 loss to the Roosters on Anzac Day, when Leilua was sin-binned after hitting Sam Walker late and high while he was in the motion of kicking.
If Leilua accepts an early plea, he will serve a one-game suspension. However, if he chooses to challenge the decision at the judiciary and loses, the punishment could be extended to two games.
Andrew Johns expressed his disappointment with the sin-bin ruling, stating that over the years, he has advocated for protection for halfbacks who are hit late. However, he believes the rule about not allowing players to touch the halfback when they are kicking downfield has gone too far.
The Roosters led 12-0 when Luciano was sent to the sin bin. By the time he returned, the Tricolours had extended their lead to 22-4. The forward had only been back on the field for three minutes before teammate Daniel Atkinson was also sin-binned for a professional foul.
Atkinson, who was at marker, attacked the arm of Walker. The Roosters playmaker dropped the ball, and Dragons players pleaded for a challenge. Referee Grant Atkins ruled the action illegal and sent Atkinson to the sin bin.
“I’ve never heard of that rule before,” Johns said. “I can’t believe that was a penalty, let alone a sin bin.”
The Roosters continued their dominance during Atkinson’s absence, with the score at 34-4 at half-time.
Cameron Smith and Allana Ferguson both argued that penalties would have been sufficient for both the Leilua and Atkinson incidents. Ferguson was particularly puzzled by the call against Atkinson.
In Smith’s view, if a hooker takes the ball and steps out of the play-the-ball, it should be “fair game.” He suggested that the rule needs to change, as players need to be aware that there will be markers trying to put them under pressure and play at the ball.
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