Jacob Laban receives medical treatment after a hipdrop tackle. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz
NZ Warriors v Canterbury Bulldogs
Kickoff: 9.35pm Saturday, 9 August
Accor Stadium, Sydney
Live blog updates on RNZ Sport
NZ Warriors coach Andrew Webster has called for greater consistency in dealing with rugby league's notorious 'hipdrop' tackle, after losing rookie second-rower Jacob Laban potentially for the rest of their NRL season to injury.
Laban was helped off the field late in Friday's heartbreaking 20-18 loss to the Dolphins, after veteran front-rower Felise Kaufusi landed heavily on his lower leg in a tackle.
The injury has since been diagnosed as a fracture with an expected recovery time of 4-6 weeks.
"Most likely six," coach Andrew Webster lamented. "That's hard to take, but we move on."
The Warriors have five more regular season games and currently sit fourth on the competition table, well within the eight-team playoff cut-off, but with momentum stalled by back-to-back defeats. By the time Laban returns, they may have been eliminated from championship contention.
Auckland-born Kaufusi was sin-binned for the offence and subsequently suspended two weeks on an early guilty plea, after serving two weeks earlier in the season on a similar dangerous charge.
While the club is reportedly "fuming" over the penalty, with the suggestion that it should match the injury suffered, Webster was reluctant to throw petrol on the fire, but pointed out some inconsistency in the judicial process.
"They always ask us for medical advice," he said. "They always ask us if we have any medical outcomes for players - we've been asked that through our manager from the judicial panel or someone from the NRL before a decision is made.
"This decision was made before they received that information - that's all I'm going to say on that. It's up to them what they do with that information.
"At the end of the day, our CEO can handle all that. I don't want to get into hot water, but the process just didn't seem consistent."
The hipdrop - when a tackler lands on the ball-carrier's legs with his body - has been identified as a blight on the game of rugby league and Webster wants consistency with how it's treated.
"I hate it when they say, 'We're going to crack down on this, we're going to go hard and stamp it out'," he said. "They just need to be consistent, so the punishment fits the crime.
"If they believe each time that tackle happens, it needs to be this long, then that's how long it needs to be. It would be unfair on the first player you go after.
"If they want to take in injuries, then they need to."
Laban will join co-captain Mitch Barnett and star halfback Luke Metcalf on the sidelines with long-term injuries, both knees, adding to an ongoing injury crisis at centre - which forced fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad into the midfield - and a series of other more temporary issues.
Egan missed the Dolphins encounter with concussion, but will now be held out against Canterbury Bulldogs on Saturday to rehabilitate a niggly shoulder complaint.
"We were always planning to rest him," Webster explained. "Shouldn't be long term, but definitely needs another week.
"He could play next weekend. He trained today, he just didn't take any collision.
"There's wear and tear this time every year for every player, but particularly Wayde, because of his work-rate and his minutes. He just needs time - it's not something where he needs an operation, not like a dislocation."
In Egan's previous absences, the Warriors have been well served by back-up Sam Healey, who will likely draw another start this weekend.
"We always believe whoever the next guy is can offer something and Sam certainly can," Webster said." He offered something on the weekend."
Others that sat out the Dolphins encounter are nearing returns, but will need to pass fitness tests later in the week. If five-eighth Chanel Harris-Tavita's calf is good to go, Te Maire Martin will probably resort back to his interchange utility role.
Captain James Fisher-Harris' calf strain was thought to be a two-week proposition, but managed some limited activity at training this week. His front-row replacement, Demitric Vaimauga, was also a late withdrawal with a knee tweak, but may also be available against the Bulldogs.
Rookie Eddie Ieremia-Toeava made his debut off the bench last week and may now have more minutes in store, with Laban gone.
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