Tongue tackle 'piss poor'
http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/sport/nrl/story/0,26799,23954877-5006066,00.html
By Josh Massoud | July 02, 2008
"Piss poor" ... Misi Taulapapa's controversial challenge
on Alan Tongue.
Photograph: courtesy Foxsport / The Daily Telegraph
SHARKS winger Misi Taulapapa has apologised for his controversial challenge on Alan Tongue, which furious Canberra officials branded "piss poor".
Raiders general manager Don Furner was livid after the NRL match review committee yesterday cleared Taulapapa for blindsiding Tongue off-the-ball in a hit that could force Tongue out for a month with rib cartilage damage.
Taulapapa struck Tongue as the Raiders skipper was tackling Cronulla teammate David Simmons in the 45th minute of Monday night's clash.
Tongue reeled away in agony, and was replaced moments later. Scans yesterday confirmed cracked left rib cartilage, an injury that usually requires a month to heal.
Canberra coach Neil Henry dubbed the hit a "reverse prowler'' in reference to Riley Brown's infamous third-man tackle on Craig Wing in Round one.
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But Furner last night went a step further, labelling Taulapapa's challenge a "cheap shot'' and expressing "disbelief'' he was not charged.
"What happened to Craig Wing was an ugly look for our game,'' Furner said. "But at least Wing was in possession of the football. Tongue was making a tackle for God's sake. It was a piss poor effort (from Taulapapa).
"But what happens? He gets off with only a penalty and we've got our captain out for four weeks.''
Tongue's reaction was measured, but he could not hide his disappointment over the match review committee's lack of action. "I can understand what Misi was trying to do, and I'm not hugely bitter,'' Tongue said.
"But I've watched the replay and it's something that should not happen. My back is exposed and he's come in and taken me clean out. He did something the wrong way and I'm the one suffering.
"You'd like to think if it was Brett Kimmorley who got injured, they'd come up with the same decision.''
Despite the prognosis, Tongue was named to face Melbourne and vowed to do "everything in my power to play.''
"I'm already booked in to see the physio, the osteo, acupuncture ... you name it,'' the tough lock said.
Match Review Committee chairman Greg McCallum personally informed Furner of his panel's decision yesterday morning. McCallum later told The Daily Telegraph the NRL's edict over prowler tackles did not apply in this instance because Taulapapa did not effect a shoulder charge.
"It could be argued that Misi thought Tongue had gotten the ball, and that's why he came in and made a conventional-style tackle,'' McCallum added.
Taulapapa was tight-lipped last night, but said he tried to apologise to Tongue immediately afterwards. "I can't say too much, but I'm really sorry he's been injured because Alan Tongue is such a great player,'' Taulapapa said.
"It happened so quickly.The Canberra management and fans were giving it to me and I tried to apolgise when he went off.''
