RFL give verdict on St Helens tackle slammed as “illegal” by Australians

After being crowned World Champions on Saturday, there is more good news for St Helens with the RFL confirming that there no offences committed by their players within the game, and the NRL concurring, meaning there will be no bans arising from the World Club Challenge.

This is a boost ahead of their trip to Castleford Tigers, difficult after such a high down under already, in which Tommy Makinson will be absent after failing a Head Injury Assessment and Joe Batchelor will also miss out after an ankle injury.

There may have been some concerns from St Helens fans over Agnatius Paasi’s availablity after his involvement in a tackle on Taylan May led to an ACL injury which has ended May’s season before it has started.

Penrith fans are infuriated by the tackle describing it as “illegal” whilst one fan called for a “1o week ban.”

However, the prop is cleared to play.

Nonetheless, here is a snippet of the social media backlash to the tackle.

A direct result of foul play, a season ending injury, and yet it appears @Saints1890 Ignatius Paasi gets off without punishment. What is the point of making that tackle illegal if there's no punishment? https://t.co/IGw6eXIjXD

— Matt Pritchard (@MattPNBL) February 20, 2023

Others were furious that they didn’t even get a penalty.

And no penalty? @NRL #NRL https://t.co/Rb0yOUf0qB

— INFJ-T 🪷🌿 (@absurdiem) February 20, 2023

And the tackle wasn't even awarded a PENALTY!

If Ashley Klein is the best ref in the game, the game is in REALLY bad place.

— KT 🖤♥️💛💚 🏆🏆🏆 (@KayGee4Three) February 20, 2023

Yep and that injury was caused by a no penalty cannonball tackle. Poor fella wish him well

— scott (@scott64212498) February 20, 2023

Things reached an extreme point when one fan called for a 10 week ban.

They also quite rightly pointed out concern over the grey area that is the World Club Challenge and who is in charge of bans from that game.

No matter who the player, this is just bad to see. Unsure how judiciary works for the #WCC but the @NRL need to bring in a mandatory 10 week suspension for any player who is found guilty of a cannonball tackle. The game is tough enough without that crap in the game.

— Bags of fun (@doineed2dothis) February 20, 2023

Many were not happy with former Super League referee Ashley Klein who declined the penalty.

It wasn't even a penalty and Klein maxe us play on and play the ball next to the injured player. And they say they care for the players. What a joke

— Grazmus (@GraZmus) February 20, 2023

Many fans had been up in arms about the tackle well before this news.

One of those was the always outspoken League Freak who bemoaned that it “happened a few times.”

He said on Twitter: “Illegal tackle. Wasn’t penalise. Happened a few times.”

Illegal tackle. Wasn’t penalise. Happened a few times. #PantherPride #RugbyLeague #NRL https://t.co/r0uwO9Bmnp

— League Freak (@LeagueFreak) February 19, 2023

Others described it as “a bad one.”

That’s a bad one that one. Hope nothing bad

— jordanjackelyse (@jordanjackelyse) February 19, 2023

Whilst another referenced the tackle that caused Tyrone May to suffer a dislocated hip in the Rugby League World Cup.

Looked a bit like the tackle that put his brother out of the World Cup and still hasn't recovered.

— Amarillo (@Amarillo1942237) February 19, 2023

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