'Absolutely sickening': Outrage after NRL player's brutal knock
Rugby league fans have taken to social media in uproar after Canterbury left a clearly concussed Lachlan Lewis on the field following a brutal collision with Josh Mansour.
Live commentators were also left confused and concerned by Lewis' continued presence on the field, with South Sydney rivals having to hold the Bulldogs five-eighth up in what was an alarming turn of events.
BRUTAL: Disturbing photo emerges amid NRL rule controversy
CLASSIC: Johnathan Thurston left horrified in hilarious 'live TV' stitch-up
Inexplicably, the Bulldogs trainer allowed Lewis to play the next set, despite having been caught from falling over by his opponents moments earlier.
“No. No, no, no, no,” stunned commentator Dan Ginnane said as Lewis lined up for the next set.
“This can’t be right.
“You can’t have a situation where everyone in the crowd, everyone watching at home can see what’s going to happen and yet he’s out there for another set.”
Lachlan Lewis has failed his HIA after this incident
📺 Stream #NRLBulldogsRabbitohs on @kayosports https://t.co/y1cFC7ToD5
📝Live blog: https://t.co/QRMH8PCnPn
📲 Match Centre: https://t.co/qTjXTcwuz8 pic.twitter.com/DM6oJ8ZILr— Fox League (@FOXNRL) April 2, 2021
Co-host Braith Anasta was equally perplexed, adding: “That’s a surprise. I can’t see that lasting long.”
There was a substantial outcry on social media about the incident, with leading NRL journalist Buzz Rothfield leading a chorus of fans concerned over Lewis' welfare.
Wtf. Get Lachlan Lewis off. PLEASE#NRLBulldogsSouths
— BUZZ ROTHFIELD (@BuzzRothfield) April 2, 2021
The aftermath of that Lachlan Lewis head clash was sickening. Good on the Souths players running in to stabilise him. #NRLBulldogsSouths
— Brett Sprigg (@BrettSprigg) April 2, 2021
That's ridiculous that Lewis was allowed to stay on the field.
Either the @NRL is serious about concussion, or it isn't.. #NRLBulldogsSouths— Brett McKay (@BMcSport) April 2, 2021
How is Lewis still on the field?
— Ray Gatt (@Gatty54) April 2, 2021
Deadset, bulldogs trainer have his eyes painted on? Get Lewis off the field #nrl #NRLBulldogsSouths
— Dwayne Nicholls (@PaintballWagga) April 2, 2021
Lewis suffered the horrific knock early on in the first half, with the Bulldogs confirming soon after that the 24-year-old had failed his head injury assessment.
It was an inauspicious start to an ugly afternoon for the Bulldogs, who were thrashed 38-0 by the Rabbitohs.
Rabbitohs star under fire for late shot
Despite the lopsided scoreline, it was still a somewhat heated afternoon which could see Rabbitohs five-eighth Cody Walker spending some time on the sidelines.
The Rabbitohs star seemed to be fired up for much of the game, and his late second effort in a tackle on Bulldogs opponent Nick Meaney took things a little too far.
Walker hit Meaney in the head with his elbow as he came in, leading Fox League commentator Michael Ennis to suggest the Souths star could be in some trouble, labelling the move 'really unneccesary'.
Canberra Raiders legend Mal Meninga said there was no doubt it would attract the attention of the NRL judiciary.
“You could see that was deliberate," Meninga said.
“We talk about Felise Kaufusi and his two weeks suspended for a deliberate elbow to the back of the head, I think he’s in some serious trouble.”
There was outcry about the shot on social media, particularly with Walker involved in several other heated incidents throughout the game.
Click here to sign up to our newsletter for all the latest and breaking stories from Australia and around the world.