Christ AAP are woeful.
http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,21402401-23214,00.html
Johns taken to hospital
March 18, 2007
NEWCASTLE Knights skipper Andrew Johns has been sent to hospital and Bulldogs star Sonny Bill Williams sent off as the Knights scored a sensational 25-24 NRL victory at EnergyAustralia Stadium.
Newcastle overcame the fourth-minute loss of its chief playmaker and a 24-8 half-time deficit to storm home against a tiring 12-man Dogs and claim victory with Kurt Gidley's 73rd minute field goal.
The big talking point, though, came just three minutes and 36 seconds into an amazing first round clash when Johns was left unconscious by a Williams swinging left arm.
Referee Tony Archer had no option but to give the Bulldogs back rower his marching orders, with Williams also likely to face a lengthy suspension for the high shot.
Johns, widely regarded as the world's best rugby league player, lay motionless face down on the turf for more than five minutes after the high shot.
He was taken off on a stretcher wearing a neck brace, and although cleared of a neck injury, was taken straight to hospital for scans on his cheekbone. Coach Brian Smith said Johns had suspected facial fractures.
The 18,791-strong crowd watched on in silence as Johns received on-field medical attention, but as he was being taken off Knights supporters began to scream "off, off" as Archer called out Williams.
"Straight in the face, knocked him out, you're off," Archer told the Kiwi back rower.
The Knights appeared shell-shocked after losing Johns, and the Bulldogs, despite being one man short, took full advantage.
They raced to an 18-2
victory after 18 minutes with tries to Andrew Ryan, Luke Patten and Reni Maitua.
Knights hooker
Jeremy Seu Seu scored on debut in the 27th minute to stop the bleeding, before Bulldogs winger Trent Cutler gave the visitors a 24-8 half-time lead.
Newcastle regrouped at the break and came out firing to level the scores 24-24 in the 58th minute after tries to Josh Perry, Todd Polglase and James McManus.
Both teams had chances to break the deadlock, but it took Gidley's wobbly field goal from
15 metres seven minutes from to eventually seal a heart-stopping win for the Knights.
The Bulldogs, though, should have stolen the match in the final minutes.
Replacement Dallas McIlwain butchered a certain try in the 78th when he dropped a Cutler pass cold with the line wide open.
A 40m field goal attempt from Dogs halfback Ben Roberts then fell just short in the final seconds.
AAP
:lol:
tend to be a tad bias on occasions.
