Ex-Super League coach slams ban and Jackson Hastings tackle

Tim Sheens is not a happy bunny.

The former Hull KR coach, now in charge of Wests Tigers, saw his side lose to the Newcastle Knights last week led by a player he let go in the shape of former Salford Red Devils and Wigan Warriors star Jackson Hastings.

Hastings was involved in two controversies including a head high tackle and then as he tried to apologise a fiery altercation.

Making matters worse, Tigers player Isaiah Papali’i has been suspended for a tackle that was reportedly initially left off the charge sheet until Newcastle complained.

Speaking to Fox League after this, Sheens was not best pleased.

“It’s a bit disappointing but at the end of the day the tackle had a little bit of that hip drop look about it,” he said.

“I didn’t think it was as bad as a grade two, but that was the grading. We have to live with that and move forward.”

The Tigers will also be without Talau for at least another two weeks after the centre suffered a broken nose as a result of the high shot from Hastings, who was only fined.

The fact Hastings is not spending any time on the sidelines too did not go down well with Sheens.

“He’s recovered from it,” Sheens said, giving an update on Talau.

“It was a nasty one actually, he couldn’t breathe out of the nose so it might’ve been accidental as the perpretator said but in real terms it still broke his nose and we’ll miss him for two more weeks.

“So I think the grading was pretty lucky there or unlucky for us.”