Wests Tigers coach Jason Taylor defends decision to assess Pat Richards for concussion despite criticism from Canterbury Bulldogs officials
Michael Chammas
Published: April 25, 2015 - 12:45AM
Wests Tigers coach Jason Taylor has responded to criticism from Canterbury officials who questioned the legitimacy of Pat Richards' concussion test during Friday night's game, adamant that the club followed protocol under the NRL's new concussion guidelines.
Channel Nine reported during the broadcast that Bulldogs officials were critical of the Tigers' decision to take Richards from the field for a concussion test after he sustained a cut under his eye following a head clash with Bulldogs forward Lloyd Perrett.
Richards returned late in the second half and kicked a 54 metre penalty goal, however the Bulldogs questioned whether the laceration justified the Tigers gaining the free interchange to assess Richards for concussion.
"In all honesty we were unsure how that was supposed to work but the doctor has talked to me about it since then," Taylor said.
"It's clear when someone has a cut to their face like that, they have to come off and be tested for concussion. That's part of the rules. We had a bit of uncertainty about it. The doctor wasn't going to be able to stitch him up on the field.
"At first I didn't want him to come off because you don't want to replace a winger. Luckily tonight we had Chris Lawrence on the bench tonight but normally you don't have anybody who can go there and it throws things out. If you look at the new guidelines, that's what they say. The game is over for us. I'm sure the opposition will ask about clarifying it but we're okay with it."
Both Taylor and skipper Robbie Farah were reluctant to talk up the freakish try Tedesco scored in the first half that was set up by the brilliance of Kevin Naiqama.
Although Farah paid tribute to Naiqama, whose last ditch flick pass before the deadball line gifted the Tigers fullback the first four-pointer of the match.
"Those plays come but they're coming from our structure," Farah said.
"It was a good, controlled play and it was just about the effort to chase. Kevy didn't give up on the ball and that's what you get when you don't give up on a play, you allow yourself to come up with those sorts of plays. It's a credit to him to keep going to the death."
Taylor was full of praise for the overall performance of the Fijian winger, who he described as one of the Tigers' best players in the first two months of the season at his new club.
"Kevin and I talked in the preseason and talked about the fact he'd been to a few clubs and he wanted to cement a position in the NRL," Taylor said.
"He said that with his actions as well. From the first day of preseason he's ticked every box. He's really committed and you can argue he's been our best player for over the course of the season so far."
Richards' 54-metre penalty goal on the stroke of half-time was another highlight in an impressive showing from the Tigers.
"Patty continues to come up with some freakish plays," Farah said.
"It doesn't surprise us. As soon as he got that penalty he wanted it. I didn't hesitate in giving him the shot. He was confident. It's a good luxury to have as a captain when you have someone like that in your side."
This story was found at:
http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...rbury-bulldogs-officials-20150425-1msx41.html
