Luciano Leilua’s Suspension Adds to St George Illawarra’s Struggles
St George Illawarra’s quest for their first win of the season has hit another roadblock, as Luciano Leilua has been handed a one-game suspension following a high, late tackle on Sam Walker. The incident occurred during a difficult match against the Sydney Roosters, which ended in a 62-16 defeat. This loss marked the start of Dean Young’s tenure as interim coach, and it was followed by more bad news for the Dragons when Leilua received a grade-two dangerous contact charge.
The second-rower is set to miss the round-10 clash with Newcastle if he accepts a guilty plea. However, he may also be forced to sit out the Magic Round game against Penrith if he chooses to challenge the charge. This suspension adds to the challenges faced by the Dragons, who are currently at the bottom of the table.
Impact on the Team’s Lineup
Leilua’s absence will leave the Dragons without their first-choice second-rowers, as Jaydn Su’A is also suspended. Jacob Halangahu is expected to step in as the most likely player to start on Leilua’s edge. The last-placed Dragons are now looking to break a 12-game losing streak that has persisted since August of last year.
The costly nature of Leilua’s tackle was evident during the Anzac Day match. His unnecessary shot on a kicking Walker proved to be a turning point, as the Roosters scored two tries while he was in the sin bin, taking a 22-0 lead. This moment highlighted the team’s struggles in maintaining control during critical moments.
Coach’s Comments on the Match
After the loss, Dean Young expressed his concerns about how the team performed against the Roosters. “When you’re playing the Roosters, and the style of footy they play, you don’t want to be playing them with them coming downhill,” he said. The Roosters’ aggressive style of play made it even harder for the Dragons to recover from mistakes.
Leilua’s performance was particularly tough on that night. He missed a tackle on James Tedesco ahead of the Roosters’ first try, which led to a seven-tackle set and the ball being kicked dead in the second half. The Roosters capitalized on this error, scoring through Daniel Tupou immediately after.
Other Players Facing Consequences
While Leilua faces suspension, other players have also experienced consequences for their actions. Thomas Flegler, a forward for the Dolphins, escaped any sanction for a head clash with centre Ali Leiataua during the loss to the Warriors. The incident occurred in the lead-up to Taine Tuaupiki’s try, which sealed the Warriors’ 20-18 victory.
Flegler spent 10 minutes in the sin bin but will be available for next week’s match against Melbourne. He has not been fined, indicating that the officials did not see the incident as a major violation.
Looking Ahead
With key players sidelined and a long losing streak to overcome, the Dragons face an uphill battle in the upcoming matches. The team will need to regroup quickly and make adjustments to improve their performance. As they prepare for their next fixtures, the focus will be on addressing the issues that have plagued them so far this season.
