Broncos coach Kevin Walters has whacked the NRL, declaring Joseph Suaalii’s four-game suspension for his high shot on fullback Reece Walsh “not enough”.
Suaalii, who was sent off early in Wednesday’s 38-10 loss to Queensland, accepted the four-game ban that was handed down by the NRL’s match review committee on Friday.
However, speaking to reporters ahead of his team’s game against Cronulla, Walters urged the NRL to do more to protect Walsh and the other “great players” in the sport.
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“Crossing the line is a big one for me,” Walters said.
“That’s the second time that has happened and four weeks for me is not enough. I’ve got to support our player. That’s twice now.
“The first time he [Taylan May] didn’t get sin-binned or suspended — nothing.
“We want our great players to play. It’s not about toughness because Reece is as tough as any player in the game.
“But four weeks for ironing a bloke out the way he did, that’s not enough.
“Teams have been targeting the better players for a long time, but I’m just not in agreeance with the suspension.
“That won’t deter another player from coming out and the next time Reece plays, trying to take his head off again.”
Walters did credit referee Ashley Klein and the Bunker for the call to send Suaalii off, adding the incident was “policed well on Wednesday night” but again stressed the suspension needed to be longer.
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“The NRL have got to protect him, that’s who has to protect him and be harder on the suspensions,” Walters said.
“Four weeks for what he actually did, Reece will be missing for us for four weeks.
“I’m sure he will be right [for Origin II], and this stuff happens in the game, but it has to be policed well.
“It was policed well on Wednesday night but I just thought they could have gone a bit harder with the suspension.
“But that’s me and protecting my players which is part of my role.”
Walters didn’t want to comment specifically on whether he believed the Blues had specifically gone into Wednesday’s game with a plan to target Walsh, although he did hint at it.
“It’s not right for me to try and feel what their plan was, but I saw what their actions were and that was the first block play of the game,” he said.
“You make your own mind up.”
The Broncos coach confirmed Walsh would not play in Saturday’s clash against the Sharks, with Tristan Sailor fit to replace him at fullback after recovering from a high ankle sprain.
“He’s been magnificent with his attention to detail around his recovery and rehab,” Walters said of Sailor.
“He has been in here seven days a week for the last three weeks getting it right.
“So, hats off to Tristan, it’s come at a really good time too with what happened to Walshy.
“He showed real professionalism over the last three weeks post-operation to get back on the field and running. It’s great.”
Walters said the rest of Brisbane’s Origin contingent would be backing up on Saturday night.