Penrith left fuming after Crichton left needing plastic surgery
Penrith have questioned how Dale Fincuane escaped punishment after leaving Stephen Crichton with a mangled left ear and needing a date with a plastic surgeon following the Panthers’ 20-10 win over Cronulla.
In a dramatic ending to Penrith’s win, Crichton was hit high by Finucane after a sickening head clash when the Cronulla lock rushed out of the line.
The NSW State of Origin centre went straight to ground and later admitted he remembered little of the game, as his ear later resembled that of Evander Holyfield’s.
He was later sent to hospital after Penrith doctor Scott Reid temporarily put it back together.
“I’m sure the last thing Dale Finucane wanted to do was injure Critta,” Cleary said.
“Historically head clashes have been a head clash.
“But I just think how easy it is to give a high-tackle penalty away now, contact with the head. It just looked bad.
“Critta is not in a great way. There is certainly an argument for careless. But that is currently the game and interpretations.”
The Sharks were adamant the incident was nothing more than a head clash, however he could still be charged if the contact is considered careless and dangerous.
“I thought we would at least get a penalty,” Cleary said.
“I’m not exactly sure of interpretations (around sin-bins or send-offs), but it is clearly contact with the head.
“It knocks him out.
“That was like a car crash. It’s weird that that is okay, but the mildest of taps sometimes isn’t okay.”
The incident overshadowed what was a gutsy performance from the Sharks, where they lost no admirers in their push for a top-four finish.
Penrith had five times as many play-the-balls in the attacking red-zone as Cronulla, but the Sharks managed to hold them to just three tries.
With seven Blues players returning from a full week off training, Penrith meanwhile showed signs of sluggishness early.
Connor Tracey had the Sharks’ first when he spun through four defenders, while it was 10-0 after 13 minutes when Matt Moylan crossed.
At that point Penrith had just 36 per cent of the ball and spent most of the game at their own end.
But then the defending premiers kicked into gear and Cronulla offered up too much good ball.
Fresh off a mid-season holiday spent in Bali and Melbourne, Nathan Cleary was immense as he kicked brilliantly and controlled the tempo of the game.
Halves partner Jarome Luai was also excellent, involved in all three of Penrith’s tries.
He first combined with Apisai Koroisau for the Panthers’ opener, after the hooker gave him space to put Izack Tago over.
The five-eighth was also involved in the next, as he Viliame Kikau and Tago put Taylan May into space and the winger found Dylan Edwards in support.
Luai then sealed the match late, jinking and stepping his way over the line.
It ensured Penrith went 10 points clear at the top of the NRL ladder, meaning they could realistically wrap up the minor premiership in the next fortnight.
“The guys are disappointed because we feel like we have more to offer than that,” Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon said.
“There is a lot of confidence you take out of it, confidence to get in the arm-wrestle.
“But we knew that to get something out of tonight we had to execute so I am disappointed about that.”
Comments on RugbyPass
A Turtle has more pace and leg drive than Owen Franks, so it’s a good thing he only had to run 90 metres for that try.
2 Go to commentsOh Tamati Tua was in the vastly over-rated Leon MacDonalds Blues system? Well, no wonder he was wasted, much like Emoni Narawa and Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens under MacDonald. now look at them. Good thing Tua isn’t eligible, the Aussies latch on to any player who isn’t tied down.
2 Go to commentsMark Telea is a lot of things, but a defensive juggernaut has never been one of them. There will be far bigger tests in that regard for the youngster.
9 Go to commentsLove and respect to Fiji but not a chance outside of 7s
4 Go to commentsGood summation Ned. Agree the Canes were out-muscled for once (except at the scrum!) by a focused Brumbies outfit. Tua deserves consideration for higher honors after the way he humbled Jordie and the Canes defense. Thankfully, his lack of eligibility for Oz keeps him from Joe’s plans. While I also agree the injuries affected the Canes performance, some players seemed to lack focus and intensity for this match. Perhaps after the Blues demolished the Brumbies, they thought it was going to be easy? A good reminder that any slip up in preparation can have a big affect on the result. Brumbies deserved that win.
2 Go to commentsKarl Dixon should never have been appointed this fixture, absolute disgrace, He’s not much of a referee anyway, didn't have the balls to send his mate care off
5 Go to commentsBrilliant article! Harry of 8/9
1 Go to comments‘UK athletes' have been in the NFL from the start.
1 Go to commentsIt’s going to be Scott Barrett. He’s the coaches mate and captain of a previously elite team. Ardie a great option but scooter has worked with the coach and Ardie still as big a leader as needed.
23 Go to commentsI commend Colin Scotts bio All Balls. He was the first Aussie to make it to NFL. But he was poached and did a full apprenticeship at the University of Hawaii. He was 130kgs surfed played 1st grade cricket etc. big guy by normal but not NFL standards and a top athlete. Even then the nfl were picking up Tongans and Samoans for their natural size and explosive power. They want explosive power not cardio from the big boys so a guy like Taniela Tupou would have been good if picked up young enough. He has fast twitch and they’d bulk the little lad up and give him something to do. soccer teams set up academies and look for Over Sara’s talent eg Messi was at Barcelona since a teenager and harry kewell went to Leeds as a teenager like 16 or something.
11 Go to commentsThe article alludes to the fact that this isn’t about picking a captain. But picking a great captain. So who would make for a great All Black captain - not just an obvious or safe shoo-in? I’m not sure Ardie’s the guy and Barret doesn’t stand out either.
23 Go to commentsI guess we may all agree on the fact, that the ABs and Boks are the two in contest for No 1 in rugby history (the triple-A sort of) …. the Wallabies, England and France are the next tier, with Ireland being the new kid in town (AA) …. in my view it makes little sense creating imaginary competitions (unless you have too much time to waste)
45 Go to commentsWhat a joke. Total joke and the pundits commentating, all of whom know a bit about the game, could barely disguise their contempt. Reaching for the card then pulling back when he realised a red card would carry further match suspensions is simply not his decision to make. A clear and obvious influence on the outcome of this match and indeed, the championship path.
5 Go to commentsI like the idea, in NZ the Ranfurly Shield and NPC coexist, both having their own bragging rights. The World Cup would be the pinnacle, but the competition and travels of these trophies would be interesting.
45 Go to commentsDon’t worry Sonny bill Williams leave that awkward situation about the curfew in the pass whoever it was it doesn’t matter its no big deal we back our All Blacks through the storm and the thunder until we see the Sun light again.
42 Go to commentsWho listens to this retard? He was a massive liability as a player but obviously a media sensation
42 Go to commentsI’m not surprised by such ‘virtue signalling’ by Sonny Boy. Butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth. He’s such a pious Islamic muppet, imo.
42 Go to commentsI’ve actually never heard of the guy (then I don’t watch League as it is boring). But if he is good enough.. then good luck to him. If not, well, he can always return to league.
2 Go to commentsIt is pretty clear that by almost any measure that NZ are a more successful rugby nation than South Africa. Quite aside from the distasteful events during the last RWC final. NZ lead SA in all significant measurements.
45 Go to commentsDickson went to his pocket for a card, saw who it was, changed his mind and spoke at length to TMO. One angle clearly shows Care diving over a Saints player to kill the ball. 1st yellow, reason given for not Red was player was falling backwards. He was only falling backwards after contact with Lawes. Graham try should have stood. Mitchell did not have both hands on the ball, ball went forward from a Saints boot dragging over it. 2 intentional knock-on's. One of which had an overlap on the outside. If Quins are happy to win by intentional foul play, then it does not say much for them. Would appear to be a bad day for Karl Dickson, also for the RFU in appointing a Ref who spent 8 years as a player at one of the clubs.
5 Go to comments