Titans backrower Anthony Laffranchi
has been rubbed out for a single match by the NRL judiciary tonight after they found
him guilty of a striking charge.
The judiciary looks to have got this one right, what Laffranchi did was stupid and it only deserved a single match ban.
Laffranchi
did however plead not guilty to a grade 1 strike charge.
The Titans forward did deliberately use his forearm to the head of Newcastle forward Mark Taufua and this was confirmed by the decision tonight.
Laffranchi, who looks on track for a NSW State of Origin jersey will now miss the Gold Coasts big clash with the high flying Broncos this week.
Surprisingly coach John Cartwright was still frustrated at the ban, saying he felt the judiciary was going too hard on his key player. Come on John, Laffranchi clearly pulls out the elbow / forearm and drops it on the head of the player being tackled.
Cartwright has plenty to worry about, with his other key man Scott Prince trying to get over niggling injury concerns so he can take the field for this weeks heritage clash with Brisbane.
The Titans have started the season well and in the past few years, this has been the point they have slipped away as injuries have set in and focus was lost. Cartwright is obviously on edge, hoping to keep their strong consistent run going.
I have refereed junior and senior league for 25 years. I am not a St. George or Bulldog supporter.I do like to see a good fair game. The ruling made by the video
ref. in the final minute of the game would be the the worst decision I have ever seen . There have been a lot lately.The NRL reputation is RS at the moment.
Get it right boys,before it is too late. The Bulldogs were robber of two points.