Joey baffled as young gun’s ‘deliberate’ illegal technique revealed
Andrew Johns knows the game of rugby league like the back of his hand, but even he can’t wrap his head around Latu Fainu’s tackling technique.
Fainu copped a three-game suspension this week for a dangerous tackle on Leo Thompson, where he dived in at the Bulldogs prop’s legs.
Leo Thompson flips on to his head after the tackle by Latu Fainu. Fox League
The tackle was described as a “grass-cut” as Fainu went low and flipped Thompson over, leading to debate on Nine’s Sunday Footy Show.
Johns defended the Wests Tigers utility and couldn’t believe it was penalised, but both Brad Fittler and Billy Slater thought it was dangerous.
However, as revealed on Wide World Of Sports’ Immortal Behaviour, the 21-year-old has been performing similar tackles throughout the season.
The issue was raised to Johns by an unnamed NRL coach, who believes it has been a series of deliberate acts from Fainu.
“I got a message off a coach saying that this has been going on for a while and I didn’t realise, but looking at that, I still don’t know if it’s illegal,” Johns said on Immortal Behaviour.
“He’s tackling, but he’s not wrapping his arms. He’s getting himself into a really awkward position, where he will get a knee in the head soon.
“I just don’t know what he’s trying to do - his head goes between the legs, but for mine, that isn’t illegal. I really don’t know, but it’s deliberate.
“It’s an odd one, I’ve never seen it in rugby league before. I still don’t know how he got suspended. I suppose it’s dangerous, but is it illegal? I don’t know.”
Johns also feels that the match review committee must have been aware of the tackles from Fainu throughout the season, prior to him being charged.
“The referees and judiciary must have been across this, whether they had information from the coaches,” he continued.
“Like I said, one of the coaches said that he’s been doing it and it’s a deliberate action, diving at the knees, but it’s not a shoulder charge.”
Latu Fainu in action for the Tigers. Getty
Fainu will miss the Tigers’ next three games including Saturday’s clash against the Canberra Raiders, which is a must-win to keep their slim finals hopes alive.
Adam Doueihi will also be missing after walking out of training following a heated argument with coach Benji Marshall.
It comes as the club prepares to part ways with co-captain Jarome Luai at the end of this season for a move to cross-town rivals Parramatta.
