LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
NRL fans are expressing outrage over Panthers centre Izack Tago's one-game ban for a hip-drop tackle that has effectively ended the season of Parramatta forward Kitione Kautoga.
Tago received a grade two charge for dangerous contact after his tackle resulted in Kautoga suffering a syndesmosis injury.
The Eels announced that Kautoga would require foot surgery and is expected to miss 6-8 weeks, making it improbable for him to return this season, which has just eight games left.
The reaction to Tago's suspension has been intense, with many supporters questioning the length of his penalty, especially given the severe nature of Kautoga's injury.
Fans are particularly frustrated because Tago received a relatively lenient punishment for what is typically a serious offense, especially considering it was his first violation for a hip-drop tackle.
This has raised concerns about the prevalence of such tackles in games, even though they have been banned for several years.
One fan commented, "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." Others echoed similar sentiments, stating, "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." The backlash has led some to label the punishment a "joke" and a "farce."
Overall, the incident has reopened discussions about the adequacy of penalties related to dangerous tackles within the league and raised questions about player safety amidst ongoing concerns of recurrent injuries.