A much maligned NSW star has been exposed with footage revealing a professional foul moments before he was sent to the bin
Kotoni Staggs appears to have escaped scot-free after footage exposed his professional foul on Selwyn Cobbo during Queensland’s massive win in Melbourne on Wednesday night.
The Broncos star was busted reaching out and dragging down his former teammate in an act that allowed Blues winger Mark Nawaqanitawase to score a silky try in the corner.
While Queensland captain Cameron Munster appeared furious after the try in the 60th minute, the tackle went overlooked by match officials as well as commentators on Fox League and Channel 9.
Staggs had given the Blues debutant plenty of work to do after he passed to the winger 10m from the line. As he offloaded to Nawaqanitawase while leaning into Queensland centre Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Staggs could be seen reaching out with his left shoulder to grab Cobbo’s right ankle.
The movement was all Nawaqanitawase needed to dance his way to score in the corner.
“This little stutter step makes Selwyn Cobbo break his ankles,” Cooper Cronk said on Fox League about Nawaqanitawase’s side step.
Selwyn Cobbo got dragged down. Photo: Kayo Sports.
Selwyn Cobbo got dragged down. Photo: Kayo Sports.
“You can’t coach it. You can’t teach it. He is a freak.”
That try brought the margin back to 26-18 with 20 minutes to play, but NSW never really looked like reeling in that lead as Queensland raced away to win 44-24.
It was a brutal night at the office for Staggs, who was sent to the sin bin just three minutes after Nawaqanitawase’s second try.
Staggs came out of the line to hit Kalyn Ponga as the Queensland fullback tapped the ball wide.
Cobbo and Tabuai-Fidow went on to orchestrate a dazzling try down the sideline after Ponga’s head had been whiplashed backwards as a result of Staggs’ high contact.
Replays showed Staggs took Ponga high while attempting a shoulder charge. However, the Newcastle No. 1 quickly got back to his feet.
Referee Ashly Klein sent Staggs to the bin, saying his tackle attempt posed an “elevated risk of injury” to Ponga.
Queensland scored another two tries while Staggs was serving his punishment.
The 27-year-old was on Thursday morning hit with a wet lettuce leaf by the NRL Match Review.
Selwyn Cobbo got a hat-trick. Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images.
Staggs received a fine of 13 per cent of his match fee for the tackle but escaped suspension.
His NSW teammate Victor Radley was also punished for a separate incident in the first half where he collected Trent Loiero high.
Despite his poor track record, Radley will be fined just seven per cent of his Game II match fee with an early plea.
Staggs will now head back to the Broncos knowing Blues coach Laurie Daley may wield the axe for the series decider at Suncorp Stadium on July 8.
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