Andrew Johns has been left stunned after Roosters centre Junior Pauga received just four matches for an “awful” high tackle on Bulldogs fullback Connor Tracey.
The 28-year-old was sent off for the incident late in his side’s 26-8 victory over the Bulldogs on Saturday night, with referee Grant Atkins admitted he had “no choice”.
Given the ugly nature of the shot that left Tracey concussed, Pauga was hit with just a grade two reckless high tackle charge by the NRL match review committee, which will see him miss the next month of football.
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But according to Johns, the Roosters flyer should be counting himself lucky.
“A million per cent [it should have been more],” he said on Nine’s Sunday Footy Show.
“That was a stiff arm, an old-fashioned coat hanger. It’s hard to watch.
“When they jam from outside-in the centres and wingers to put pressure on, you’ve got to get it right. We’ve seen Maika Sivo pinged a few times, obviously we saw [Joseph] Suaalii in Origin, but this one is awful.
“How he didn’t break his jaw or the way Connor Tracey landed, how he didn’t tear his ACL or break his leg … that was just awful.”
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Broncos great Sam Thaiday was also surprised by the decision.
“He got everything wrong in this,” Thaiday said.
“It’s a very lazy effort and attempt at making a tackle. He deserved a send off and I think four weeks is pretty light for that type of tackle.”
Junior Pauga is sent off during his side’s win over the Bulldogs. Getty
Pauga has a clean judiciary record but the club are expected to take the early guilty plea as opposed to fighting the charge at the panel and risk a further week out.
Roosters legend Brad Fittler echoed the sentiments of Johns and Thaiday, but doesn’t believe this type of act is in Pauga’s game.
“I can’t see where they got the four weeks,” he said.
“I’ve watched Junior this year, he has had an incredible season, but I reckon he slips just before he takes off to chase. I haven’t seen anything like this in his game.”