Queensland State of Origin selectors were relieved after Cowboys center Valentine Holmes avoided a ban for a hip tackle against the Wests Tigers on Friday.
Saturday’s NRL court match indictment saw Holmes sentenced to a Level 1 dangerous contact offense – but he won’t miss Origin’s opening game for the Maroons on June 5 if he plead guilty.
Holmes will also be fined $1,800 after his tackle on Isaiah Papali’i went wrong, ruling out the Tigers star for the remainder of the game.
North Queensland coach Todd Payten is proud to be from New South Wales but insists the decision to foul Holmes and flag him for a hip tackle in the 42-28 win against Benji Marshall’s team was unjustified.
He said a worst-case tackle by Tigers prop David Klemmer on Cowboys forward Kulikefu Finefuiaki, for which he was reported, was a “classic” hip-drop although it was not scrapped .
Valentine Holmes attempted this tackle on Wests forward Isaiah Papali’i late in the first half.
Holmes then collided with teammate Tom Dearden and fell onto Papali’i’s legs.
Referee Belinda Sharpe ruled the incident a hip drop and sent Holmes to the trash can.
Klemmer will miss three games as this is his third offense.
Holmes was sent off in the 37th minute Friday for a tackle on Tigers forward Isaiah Papali’i who left the field not to return with an ankle injury.
He was later spotted in a Moon Boot.
Holmes is almost certain to be named in Queensland’s squad for the State of Origin series opener in Sydney on Monday.
The 28-year-old has scored 13 tries in 16 appearances for the Maroons and is one of the first players selected.
“We lose (a player) for 10 minutes and this inconsistency bothers me, the players, the members and the fans,” Payten said.
“Every time I find myself in a bunker situation, I get really nervous. I’m sure the players feel the same way. Sin-binning changes the complexity of the game and it becomes so difficult to regain momentum.
“With all the camera angles, they can’t get it wrong, among other calls. It’s so frustrating.
Holmes’ tackle was reviewed by the bunker. He was accidentally hit by Cowboys co-captain Tom Dearden while making the tackle, which could work in his favor.
“It wasn’t a hip-drop from the start, so I’m stunned by the bunker in this situation,” Payten said.
“I don’t know what a rugby union player is supposed to do when he goes for a try and a defender lunges at his legs.
“It’s going to land on their legs.” I have no doubt where it will land, but it’s not a hip-drop.
Cowboys coach Todd Payten was left furious after Wests Tigers forward David Klemmer was flagged for a hip drop, but no foul, in the same game.
Holmes risks missing opening State of Origin clash if suspended
Payten pointed out the inconsistencies in sin-bin decisions and what is considered a hip tackle, using Tigers prop David Klemmer as an example. Klemmer was booked but not sent to the trash.
“It’s textbook – David Klemmer in the second half – and nothing happened,” he said.
“The bunker has every right to step in there and answer the call properly. We lose one (player) for 10 and they (don’t).
“The inconsistency irritates me, the players, our members and fans of the game.
“Every time I find myself in a bunker situation I get nervous, really nervous and I’m sure the players feel the same way. Because sin-binning only changes the complexity of the game and makes it so difficult to regain momentum.
“With all the camera angles, they can’t get it wrong on other calls either. It’s so frustrating.
Footy fans were also left baffled by the inconsistencies which saw Klemmer remain on the pitch.
“Why wasn’t Klemmer eliminated for the same thing, a hip drop but only a penalty?” asked one of them.
“We are entering the clown stage of hip drops,” another frustrated fan posted.
“I came out as soon as it was penalized… What was Val going to do, just stand and play touch football? Might as well call it netball, what a joke rugby league is these days,” fumed one angry Cowboys supporter.
