Winged Taia's season in doubt
BY ROBERT DILLON
KNIGHTS workhorse Zeb Taia may have played his final game this season after partially dislocating his shoulder in last night's 30-14 loss to the Raiders in Canberra.
Taia left the field in the 63rd minute with his arm in a makeshift sling after crashing to the ground in a controversial tackle by Bronson Harrison and Josh McCrone.
The defenders were placed on report for an alleged "chicken wing", and the tackle will be scrutinised today by the NRL's match review panel.
Knights coach Rick Stone admitted it would be a "massive blow" if Newcastle were to lose Taia for Sunday's sudden-death last-round home game against Penrith and any subsequent finals.
The Kiwi Test hopeful has not missed a match for Newcastle this season and has been their most consistent forward over the past two campaigns.
"It looks like a popped shoulder and he could be gone for a number of weeks, so that's our major concern," Stone said last night. "It's a massive blow, there's no doubt about it."
Knights skipper Kurt Gidley fought a running battle with referees Ashley Klein and Matt Cecchin last night and admitted he was disappointed with a number of rulings, in particular a first-half penalty when forward Chris Houston was trying to play the ball.
Canberra scored a minute later through Harrison to grab a 10-0 lead.
"I'm not really going to blame them, after our performance, but it is frustrating," Gidley said.
"Especially when you've got possession of the ball.
"Having the ball is so crucial and calls like that swing the game."
Herald
