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Raiders star Jordan Rapana in trouble after ‘absolutely brutal’ hit on Cowboys gunman Scott Drinkwater just TWO weeks after avoiding ban for ugly high throw
Canberra Raiders star Jordan Rapana could find himself in hot water with the NRL judiciary over a shoulder charge against North Queensland gunman Scott Drinkwater.
The North Queensland fullback was crushed by Rapana during the first half of the Cowboys’ 19-18 win over the Raiders on Saturday as he was looking to return a kick after receiving the ball in his own half.
The Raiders’ wing appeared to make little effort to wrap his arm around Drinkwater at the tackle, sending the Cowboys’ star flying onto the turf.
As he finally completed the tackle, the New Zealand international appeared to wave an arm towards Drinkwater.
While Rapana was penalized by referee Adam Gee, he avoided a 10-minute bin period and was also not included in the report.
Jordan Rapana (far right) could be suspended for brutal charge against Scott Drinkwater
The Canberra Raiders winger made no attempt to wrap his arm around the tackle.
But Andrew Voss and rugby league great Mal Meninga are hoping the NRL judiciary will take a dim view of the incident.
“This is brutal, absolutely brutal,” Voss said in a comment on Fox League.
You be the judge at home. I think Houston, we have a problem.
‘Are we happy with that? It’s not a side of the shoulder, but I don’t think there’s much of an attempt to wrap the arm.
Speaking in the studio during halftime analysis, Meninga agreed that Rapana “might be in a little trouble.”
The veteran winger has a history with the match review committee and was only cleared to play in Round 1 after agreeing to an early declaration and paying $3,000 last month.
Rapana was sinned for a vicious high kick on Adam Doueihi during the Raiders’ loss to the Wests Tigers in Week 2 of the tests.
Rapana could find himself in trouble with the NRL judiciary after brutal coup
The 32-year-old was cited for a vicious high shot on Adam Douelhi in Week 2 of the trials (above) when the Raiders lost to the Wests Tigers but pleaded guilty early.
The 32-year-old was charged with one count of grade one careless high tackle, which would have resulted in a two-week suspension if the judiciary had found him guilty.
Canberra erased an 18-point deficit, before a Chad Townsend field goal five minutes into full time edged North Queensland by one point in an NRL first round contest in Townsville.
With the clock ticking down, Harley Smith-Shields’ error on a play from short side gave the Cowboys a midfield scrum and at tackle four, Townsend made no mistake from 20 yards to kick his side off to a start. winner in 2023.
Townsend’s kick saved a disastrous second half for the hosts, who, after dominating the opening period, completely capitulated on offense and offered the resilient Raiders a way back into contention.