'I don't know': Wayne Bennett confused and 'concerned' by inconsistent high contact calls
Rabbitohs coach Wayne Bennett was left baffled by several refereeing decisions during South Sydney's 32-0 loss to Canterbury at Accor Stadium on Good Friday.
A fortnight ago, the NRL's promised a crackdown on high contact but the repercussions were difficult to spot with the tackling act committed at times without consequence.
A sin bin for a hip drop tackle in the second half also had Bennett scratching his head.
READ MORE: Souths star explains heated sideline altercation with rival fans
READ MORE: Dolphins veteran's 'vintage' moment seals major upset
READ MORE: Sprint legend upstages parents in brutal school race
Wayne Bennett speaks to media following the Rabbitohs round-seven loss to the Bulldogs. NRL
After a spate of high shots were judged to have escaped appropriate on-field punishment in the opening rounds of the season, the NRL sent an email to clubs regarding high contact in round four and the resulting lack of sin bins.
The crackdown then led to a flurry of trips to the sin bin, with any player levelling a shot above the shoulders given their marching orders.
But three rounds later, it would appear the move has been scrapped, given the number of head-high tackles during the league's traditional Good Friday match.
Bulldogs backrower Viliame Kikau was involved in several contentious incidents.
He was placed on report but avoided the sin bin in the 29th minute after a swinging arm hit Campbell Graham high.
The contact immediately drew blood, with the winger requiring medical attention for a gash above his eye.
Watch the 2025 NRL premiership live and free on Nine and 9Now.
Minutes later, an attempted shoulder charge from Rabbitoh Davvy Moale collected Kikau high as he fell in the tackle.
Moale was penalised and placed on report but remained on the field.
Adding to the confusion, Bulldogs winger Marcelo Montoya spent the end of the game in the sin bin after slapping Sean Keppie over the head.
Speaking post-match, Bennett also took aim at referee Grant Atkins' inconsistent rulings and reports.
"I don't know what a hip-drop tackle is anymore," he said.
"I'm as concerned about head highs too because there were a couple of them today and they didn't go to the bin.
"Euan Aitken goes to the bin for a touch on the runner going through. It was worth a penalty, I've got no problems with that. But 10 minutes for that?
"We've got another player with stitches in his head, got hit by a head-high tackle and [Kikau] stays on the field."
On Saturday morning, Kikau and Moale both received fines from the NRL judiciary for their respective incidents.
