NRL fans are divided as to whether Broncos hooker Cory Paix might face a suspension for a tackle that resulted in a broken leg for Manly forward Siua Taukeiaho. The Sea Eagles player had to be carried from the field on a stretcher after he broke his leg in two places in Manly’s 32-4 win over Brisbane.
Taukeiaho suffered the injury in the act of scoring a try after Paix’s leg came down on his ankle at an awkward angle. Play was stopped for several minutes and Taukeiaho was given the green whistle to help with the pain.
Siua Taukeiaho (R) suffered a devastating double leg break. Image: Getty/Fox
The Sea Eagles have since revealed the 34-year-old suffered a double break of the tibia and fibula, which will see him miss several months. The forward is currently without a contract for 2027, and there are fears the injury could be career-ending.
Debate has erupted on social media about the tackle that caused the injury. Paix grabbed Taukeiaho around the waist from the side and then dropped his body weight to try and bring him to ground.
Cory Paix’s leg came down on Siua Taukeiaho’s ankle. Image: Fox League
Siosiua Taukeiaho is facing several months on the sidelines.
(Getty Images)
On social media, fans were left questioning whether it was an illegal hip-drop, although Paix wasn’t penalised or put on report. It looked similar to Josh Addo-Carr’s tackle on Tom Dearden on Friday night that saw the Cowboys and Queensland halfback suffer a syndesmosis ankle injury that rules him out for 6-8 weeks. Addo-Carr wasn’t charged after the match review committee deemed it an accident.
In regards to the Paix tackle, one person wrote: “How’s that not penalised at all?” Another commented: “Worse than any hip drop and I’m pretty sure he’s not even on report for that.”
While a third added: “Something has to change with tackling techniques. Human bodies can’t withstand being pulled different ways by 100kg men.”
Many were left calling for Paix to be banned, however plenty more defended him and said they didn’t think it was a hip-drop at all. Like the Addo-Carr tackle, many thought the Paix one was simply an accident.
Manly coach backs Siua Taukeiaho to fight back
Manly coach Kieran Foran said after the game: “Devastating for Siua, it’s a pretty bad break from all reports chatting to our doctor. It’s a double break of the leg, the tibia and fibula on that lower leg.
“I can’t give him a big enough wrap for the job he has done for us at this part of the season. It’s not over for Siua, he is a true professional and get the job done and come back sooner than expected. Hopefully he is back before the end of the season.”
Dan Ginnane said in commentary for Fox League: “He’s been a wonderful player. You don’t want to draw too harsh a conclusion but at his age and his contract, this is obviously a serious injury. If that is the end, what a way to go out – scoring a try, putting your body on the line.”