NRL legends Andrew Johns and Billy Slater at odds over Dolphins star Felise Kaufusi’s ban
War of words breaks out between NRL legends Andrew Johns and Billy Slater over Dolphins star Felise Kaufusi’s blunt shot on Jackson Hastings: ‘It’s the cheapest shot in the game’
NRL immortal Andrew Johns called Felise Kaufusi’s brutal strike on Jackson Hastings “the cheapest shot in the game” but Maroons great Billy Slater believes the Dolphins star has ground to fight the accusation.
Kaufusi crushed the Knights playmaker with a hard tackle on Friday night, but was removed after referee Chris Butler judged the strike to have been high and late.
The Queenslander was handed a dangerous grade two charge and can now accept a three-game ban or fight the charge, which could result in a four-game ban if he loses his case.
Speaking on Wide World of Sports’ Sunday Footy Show, Slater suggested that Kaufusi had grounds for litigation.
‘I can actually find reasons for Felise to fight it. [charge]’ the Queensland coach said.
Felise Kaufusi (right) was sent off and put on the report for a blunt blow on Jackson Hastings during the Dolphins’ win over Newcastle on Friday night.
Kaufusi crushed the Newcastle playmaker but was deemed to have hit him high and late
“I think he retired late, and when the ball left Jackson’s [Hastings] hands him [Kaufusi] was committed.’
Johns was of a different and scathing opinion in his criticism of the Dolphins star.
“It’s the cheapest shot in the game,” said the New South Wales big man.
‘Hitting guys in the back after they’ve passed the ball.’
When Slater argued that Kaufusi had delivered two heavy blows in the first two rounds of the season without being penalized, Johns pointed out that both tackles were of a different nature.
‘But the ball was in his hands, when he hit Brandon [Smith] and Hudson Young […] [when he hit Hastings] the ball was four or five meters from his hands,” Johns said.
It is the cheapest shot in the game.
‘If you want to hit someone in the back, give a guy 20 kilos and hit him in the back. […] they’re trained to do it, I hear it at the club level.
Andrew Johns (left) and Billy Slater (right) disagreed over the punishment for Kaufusi
“When the ball goes, you can’t just hit guys in the back when they’re not even looking.” Someone is going to get seriously hurt.
Slater acknowledged that Kaufusi had a marginally late impact, but insisted the replays showed why Queenslander could avoid a ban when facing the judiciary.
“I agree that it was a bit late, and I’m not in favor of that play,” he said.
“But if you look at slow motion, when Felise makes the tackle, she makes the tackle when the ball is in [Hastings’] hands.’