A contentious sin-binning for Tom Flegler has divided NRL fans after the Dolphins went down to the Warriors in a brutal Anzac Day clash. The thrilling 20-18 win in Wellington came at a cost for the hosts, with Mitch Barnett forced off with a category one head knock in the second half that rules him out of next week’s game against Parramatta, and dents his hopes of selection for the State of Origin opener.
Dolphins star Jake Averillo also saw his night ended early after a gruesome finger injury that saw him taken to hospital. While referee Liam Kennedy and Bunker official Ashley Klein were kept busy in a frantic contest that saw Flegler placed on report for illegally taking out Ali Leiataua in the lead-up to Taine Tuaupiki’s match-sealing try.
Tom Flegler (R) was controversially sin-binned in the Dolphins’ loss to the Warriors, which saw former Blues prop Mitch Barnett (L, centre) suffer a fresh Origin setback. Pic: Getty
Warriors second-rower Leka Halasima was also placed on report for a shoulder charge on Dolphins prop Tom Gilbert. But the home side hung on to claim the two points, with Alofiana Khan-Pereira’s double helping them to a sixth win in eight games that rockets the Warriors into second spot on the ladder.
Another cruel setback for Barnett overshadowed the win though, and leaves him facing an uphill battle to be picked in Laurie Daley’s Blues Origin squad for Game 1. Barnett clashed heads with teammate Chanel Harris-Tavita and played no further in the contest after it was ruled a Cat 1.
Mitch Barnett’s (pictured) hopes of being picked in the NSW Origin squad were dealt another cruel blow in the Warriors’ Anzac Day win over the Dolphins. Pic: Getty
(Hagen Hopkins via Getty Images)
It continued a wretched run of bad luck for the former NSW prop, who broke his thumb in Round 4 just two games back from an ACL injury that ended his season after Game 1 of last year’s Origin series. And the latest setback means Barnett will miss next week’s trip to face the Eels in Round 9. They then have the bye in Round 10, leaving Barnett’s Origin hopes under a massive cloud.
“Mitch can’t get any momentum at the moment,” Warriors coach Andrew Webster said post-game. “He’s had a long layoff and he gets back and something happens… he’s probably more frustrated than anything.” Warriors second-rower Leka Halasima could also be out after being placed on report for a shoulder charge on Dolphins prop Tom Gilbert.
Fans divided after Tom Flegler sin-binned for Dolphins
While Leiataua will join Barnett on the sidelines for the Parramatta game after clashing heads with Flegler in the game’s biggest talking point. Flegler misread the play that saw Tuaupiki cross for the game-clinching try in the 61st minute when he turned to try and stop Leiataua.
But the Warriors star didn’t receive the ball and was wiped out after the pair collided heads. Flegler immediately apologised to the Warriors centre, who lay stricken on the ground as things became heated between the two teams.
It was an unfortunate accident, but referee Kennedy sent Flegler to the bin after claiming he rushed out of the line and created a dangerous situation. While some viewers agreed with the sin bin call, others thought it was extremely harsh on the Dolphins star. And debate continued to rage on after the Warriors capitalised on their one-man advantage to hang on for a gutsy win.
with AAP