New Zealand Warriors coach Nathan Brown has come to the support of Sydney Roosters lock Victor Radley after the 24-year-old was put on report for a high shot.
The incident occurred in the 34th minute of the Rooster's 22-14 victory, when Edward Kosi scooped the ball up in the in-goal area, before diving low to return to the field of play.
Radley quickly went to make a tackle, consequently striking the Warriors player in the face with his arm.
A penalty was awarded before he was placed on report.
This was a good sequence pic.twitter.com/TYO91aEJhZ
— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) April 17, 2022
Speaking after the match, Nathan Brown went out of his way to comment on the issue, coming to the defence of the Roosters' enforcer.
"I'll be really disappointed if [Radley] gets suspended," he said.
"I understand we should have got a penalty, and we should have got a free interchange. But they can't suspend [Radley] for that.
"[Kosi] was just diving to the ground - doing the right thing - and I'm not sure what [Radley] is supposed to do.
"I'm all for the protection of players ... but we can't let the game get to a point where someone like Victor Radley can't play when a bloke is that low to the ground.
"You just can't do it in my opinion. It's just not right."
Match Highlights - #NRLRoostersWarriors 🎥
— NRL (@NRL) April 17, 2022
The Roosters recorded a 22-14 win over the Warriors at the SCG! pic.twitter.com/4BQ8Lv4OZS
Roosters coach Trent Robinson shared the same viewpoint.
"I think [the Bunker] did really well. I mean, [Kosi] dived - which he should have - at the ground to try and get out," Robinson said.
"There's going to be a risk you're going to run into a hand or leg or something at that point in time."
