Benji Marshall baffled by referee's hip-drop tackle call as ugly Lachlan Galvin saga rears its head
Updated . First published at
Benji Marshall has channelled his inner Wayne Bennett, declaring he doesn't know what a hip-drop tackle is after Samuela Fainu was put on report in the Tigers' loss to the Eels.
In a press conference that included chief executive officer Shane Richardson scoffing at questions around Lachlan Galvin, Marshall remained coy on the Fainu decision.
Early in the second half, Eels second-rower Kelma Tuilagi almost broke through the line with a powerful run.
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Fainu then took Tuilagi down from behind but didn't appear to land on his leg.
Despite that, the Tigers youngster was placed on report.
Kelma Tuilagi reacts to Samuela Fainu's tackle. Getty
"Who's in the box saying that was a hip-drop tackle?" Greg Alexander said on Fox League.
"Nothing's landed on his leg. That's outrageous," caller Andrew Voss added.
Fainu was not fined by the match review committee.
Post-match, Marshall agreed with comments Bennett had made throughout the year that he was unsure on the definition of a hip-drop.
"I don't know if that was a hip-drop. From what I saw, I didn't think it was," he said.
"I agree with what Wayne says because I don't know what a hip-drop is anymore.
"To be honest, I don't know. If I knew I would've addressed it earlier. But we managed to fight our way back. So if we do take something away, it's round seven and we are three [wins] and four [losses]. We need to get back on the horse next week."
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In the same press conference, Api Koroisau was asked about Lachlan Galvin and blocking out the drama associated with the five-eighth.
Richardson could be heard scoffing at the question as it was asked.
"We are here together. We are here to play footy. We will focus on that," Koroisau responded after Marshall smiled at his boss.
Api Koroisau (left) and Benji Marshall react after Shane Richardson's comment. Nine
Questions for Marshall followed around whether Galvin would be allowed back in the group to which he said "they never left him out".
Reminded by comments from Koroisau during the week that he hadn't spoken to Galvin, Marshall replied, "I saw them at training, training pretty well with him and mixed in, so I don't think there was a drama".
Before the game the Tigers were hit with a legal letter from Galvin's camp, which made accusations of bullying against the 19-year-old five-eighth.
