LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
The fallout from the NRL Grand Final drama between rival stars continues to escalate, with an announcement from the Kangaroos squad adding fuel to the fire.
Broncos star Payne Haas is at the center of the controversy, as the ugly incident nearly changed the course of history.
Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga was rocked by the news that Nathan Cleary, who was unavailable for selection due to a knee injury suffered in the Grand Final, will miss the entire Pacific Championships series.
While Cleary will be sidelined, Haas has been cleared to play in the series opener against Samoa, despite being cited by the NRL match review for a hip drop tackle that left Cleary injured.
Haas received a Grade 1 dangerous contact tackle charge for his use of the controversial tackling technique, which the NRL has been trying to eliminate this season.
He accepted an early guilty plea and will be fined $1800, marking his second offense.
The decision to allow Haas to play has caused outrage among fans and pundits, who believe that the NRL should have taken a stronger stance against dangerous tackles.
Critics argue that the league's failure to suspend Haas sends the wrong message and undermines player safety.
The incident has also reignited the debate around the NRL's handling of dangerous tackles and player welfare.
Many are calling for stricter penalties and greater accountability for players who engage in such tactics.
The controversy has overshadowed the Kangaroos squad announcement and shifted the focus away from the upcoming Pacific Championships series.
With tensions running high and opinions divided, it remains to be seen how the NRL will address the fallout from this Grand Final drama.
The incident has highlighted the need for clearer rules and stronger enforcement to protect players and maintain the integrity of the game.
As the rugby league community grapples with this contentious issue, the pressure is on for the NRL to take decisive action and prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.