LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
Wests Tigers forward Alex Twal is facing criticism from NRL fans following a controversial tackle that injured Titans captain Tino Fa'asuamaleaui.
This incident occurred during the first half of a closely contested match, where the Tigers narrowly won 21-20 thanks to Adam Doueihi's last-minute field goal.
The tackle, considered a "third man in" play, raised further issues for Titans coach Des Hasler, whose team sits at the bottom of the ladder with seven games left in the season.
The situation worsened when Fa'asuamaleaui, who was already wrapped up by Tigers players Doueihi and Terrell May, was taken down by Twal's tackle around the legs.
While the initial contact was at the waist, the forceful nature of the tackle caused Fa'asuamaleaui's knee to twist awkwardly, leading to immediate signs of discomfort.
After attempting to continue playing, Fa'asuamaleaui was substituted a short time later.
Although he remained active on the sidelines, he did not return to the game and is scheduled for scans to assess the severity of his knee injury.
Fortunately, it was the opposite knee from a previous season-ending ACL injury.
The incident has reignited discussions in the rugby league community regarding the enforcement of rules against "third man in" and cannonball tackles aimed at an opponent's legs, with many fans calling for tougher penalties.