Panthers face sanction over interchange bungle in 40-12 win over Roosters
The Penrith Panthers are set to be sanctioned by the NRL over an interchange bungle in their win over the Roosters, which saw them momentarily have 14 players on the field.
Penrith will face a sanction by the NRL after an interchange confusion led to the Panthers having 14 players on the field momentarily in their 40-12 win over the Roosters.
The bungle cost them two interchange cards and now they may face further punishment from the NRL who will review the mishap during the week.
Despite their victory, they are no chance of losing any competition points given the accidental replacement had no impact on the play.
The mishap occurred with about 12 minutes left in the first half while the Panthers had the ball.
Back-rower Scott Sorensen was being checked for a dislocated finger by the on-field trainer. The trainer – Pete Green – indicated to the bench that further assistance was needed with the injury. It resulted in Sorensen moving towards the sideline where he was assessed by the medical staff.
The Panthers bench was on the other side of the field.
While Sorensen remained on the field but close to the sidelines, the Panthers rushed on bench player Izack Tago with the usual starting player relegated to the bench for the clash.
Tago ran on for just a matter of seconds and played no part in the play. He threw the interchange card onto the ground instead of handing it to the interchange official. The bungle was quickly realised by the sideline officials with Tago then rushed straight from the field. As Tago ran back off the field, Sorensen returned to take his place.
“The doctor came across…they were thinking I was coming off for an interchange,” Sorenson said. “That’s what they thought was going on. It was a bit of a misunderstanding. Once the finger went back in I was OK.”
The error resulted in Penrith immediately being sanctioned by being docked two interchange cards. The first was for Tago going onto the field and the second as punishment as per NRL guidelines after having an extra man on the field.
Tago eventually came back on the field after the half-time break after Luke Garner failed a concussion test.
While the Panthers will retain their desperately needed win, Canterbury lost two competition points in 2009 after fielding 14 players against the Panthers.
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Michael Carayannis