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NRL debate erupts over Martin Taupau penalty: 'That's a joke'

Martin Taupau's collision with Jordan Rapana was clearly an accident, but was nonetheless penalised by the NRL Bunker.

Jordan Rapana is taken from the field on the left, and Martin Taupau pictured on the right.
Jordan Rapana was left bloodied after an accidental knee from Martin Taupau, which resulted in a controversial penalty against the Broncos. Pictures: Getty Images

Rugby league is a high-paced, high-intensity collision sport played by big men. At NRL level, it's ferocious in its physicality.

Only a few are born to play it. Most of us wouldn’t survive a set of six.

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Unfortunately, accidents are an inevitable part of any contact sport. You can’t legislate you’re away out of unintentional actions.

Vision of blood spurting from the head of Raiders winger Jordan Rapana at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday night was distressing. He looked in a bad way as he tucked his head between his legs while the medicab took him from the field.

But here's the thing: what happened to Rapana was a complete accident.

Brisbane prop Marty Taupau was doing what's he paid to do – chase the ball downfield and put pressure on the kick returner. We're not really sure what much else he could have done to avoid contact.

Pull up a split-second earlier? Leap over Rapana? All good options when you've had a few hours to think about it, but to penalise him and replace him on report was ridiculous.

Jordan Rapana is attended to by medical staff.
Jordan Rapana was worse for wear after copping an accidental knee to the head from Martin Taupau. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

NRL debate erupts over Martin Taupau penalty against Raiders

Fox League caller Warren Smith disagreed, tweeting: "If you're chasing through on a kick, you have a duty of care not to contact the catcher of the ball in the head, no matter how the contact occurs."

To which former top NRL referee Tim Mander replied: "Rubbish. That is a joke of a penalty. It was incidental. You can’t penalise a player for clipping a bloke with his knee!"

Martin Lang, who knows a thing or two about life in the frontline of the NRL, took the next hit up.

"It’s an awkward game. I’m not sure what other option Taupau had aside from not getting out of his car when he arrived at the ground," he said.

The third man in the witness stand had the most to benefit from the decision to penalise Taupau, which essentially assured Canberra victory. Yet, Raiders coach Ricky Stuart sympathised with the perpetrator.

"It was an accident. I feel sorry for Marty Taupau. He didn’t mean to do that," Stuart said. "He came in (to the dressing-room) looking for Jordy, which was really nice of him.

"It was an unfortunate collision. Those accidents happen in these games. I hope he's not suspended."

The NRL is trying to make rugby league an accident-free game. Talk about dreaming the impossible dream.

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