'What are we creating?': Benji Marshall admits concern as 'dangerous precedent' set with Luke Laulilii ban
Benji Marshall believes the NRL have set a "dangerous precedent" after young Wests Tigers winger Luke Laulilii was sin binned and suspended for a tackle that left Eels star Bailey Simonsson with a season-ending leg injury.
Laulilii was given his marching orders during the second half of a wild Easter Monday clash, after a mid-air tackle ended horribly for Simonsson.
The 19-year-old has since been slapped with a one-game suspension, while Simonsson is set for a lengthy stint on the sidelines with a dislocated and fractured ankle.
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At the time of the incident, it was clear the Parramatta winger was seriously injured, which prompted the referees to make a judgement call and sin bin Laulilii.
Luke Laulilii is sent to the sin bin in round five. Fox League
Marshall sympathised with Simonsson, but admitted a can of worms has now been opened that could lead to other players feigning injuries to gain advantage.
"We got some clarification from the NRL and referees in particular - it was because of the injury. If he didn't get the injury, it wouldn't have been that way," he said on Friday.
"That's hard to cop. I think it sets a pretty dangerous precedent. The referees are not doctors, so if someone stays down and pretends they're injured and [a player] gets sin binned and they're OK, what are we creating?
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"In saying that, I'm not trying to disrespect the injury to Bailey, because I really like Bailey and felt sorry for him because of how good he's going.
"It was an accident from Luke's perspective, there was no intent, but that's done and dusted now, we can't change that and someone else gets an opportunity."
Jeral Skelton will line up on the wing for the Tigers in round six for a surprise top-four clash against a resurgent Newcastle Knights outfit.
Another player who won't be available on Sunday afternoon is co-captain Jarome Luai, who is still working his way back from a knee injury.
Jarome Luai. NRL Images
When asked about when Luai might be returning, Marshall cracked a quick joke before shutting down any plans to rush the Samoan international back.
"Who? Jarome, oh I forgot about him," the coach said.
"He wanted to play, but that's Jarome - he will tell you he's ready when he's not ready.
"From our perspective, he wasn't ready to play and he hasn't done enough work. He might be ready next week, I don't know … I will make those decisions next week."
