Souths coach Jason Demetriou takes swipe at Todd Payten over HIA query
There was no love lost at the end of a tense encounter between the Rabbitohs and Cowboys, with Souths coach Jason Demetriou taking a swipe at Todd Payten after the match.
Demetriou wasn't impressed with the Cowboys coach's suggestion that the Rabbitohs doctors deliberately decided to issue head injury assessments at crucial points of the match halt the Cowboys' momentum.
When asked about Payten's comments after the match, Demetriou did not pull any punches.
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"I think he has a bit of a habit about complaining about stuff," he said of Payten.
Rabbitohs star Latrell Mitchell celebrates a try against the Cowboys Getty
"Our medical team are as diligent and respectful of the rules as anyone in the game.
"I think if you looked at how many HIA's we have used and how many blokes we have brought off the field we would be one of the fewest in the competition.
"To suggest that, I am going to stick up for my staff here and they don't do that unless there is a reason to do it."
Demetriou's response came after Payten said he was "very confused" about some of the HIA calls, saying "the game went for two hours tonight".
Cowboys coach Todd Payten said he was 'confused' by some of the HIA calls made during the match Getty
"There was one in the first half where Jason (Taumalolo) actually hit Tatola through the ribs and there was a HIA," he said. "That is bending the rules at best."
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"Then there was one where we forced an error and there was a scrum and it was our ball and momentum was in our favour and that is another opportunity where they can stop the game and get their gas back and it halts all momentum in our favour.
"I would like the NRL to have a look at it. It is not my job. Well it is my job, but they have got the right people to have a look at it and I would like them to investigate it or at least look closer at it."
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