Roosters back-rower Siua Wong sustained a potentially serious knee injury during a disturbing incident in the first half of a match against the Cowboys on Sunday. The Roosters secured a convincing 42-8 victory at Allianz Stadium, but Wong’s injury marred the game. The injury occurred when North Queensland’s Karl Lawton, the third player in a tackle, inadvertently forced Wong’s leg into an awkward position while attempting to slow down the play.
Renowned physiotherapist Brien Seeney speculated that Wong had suffered a suspected MCL injury, which could result in a multi-week recovery. Additionally, Roosters five-eighth Sandon Smith left the field with a knee concern during the 55th minute and did not return, heightening the team’s injury worries.
Andrew Johns, a rugby league Immortal, expressed his frustration over the tackle that led to Wong’s injury. He vehemently opposed the involvement of a third player in tackles once the momentum is halted, citing the dangers it poses to players. Johns referred to a similar incident from 2022 involving Liam Knight, where a tackle from behind resulted in a severe knee injury, leading him to criticise the discipline surrounding such acts.
Johns highlighted the potential dangers of players targeting the knee region and emphasised the need for change in the game to protect players from similar events. The increasing frequency of these risky tackles has raised concerns about player safety, drawing parallels with other injuries in the league that have resulted from similar tackling practices.
In summary, while the Roosters celebrated a notable win, the spectre of serious injuries to pivotal players like Wong and Smith serves as a reminder of the risks involved in the sport. The call for stricter regulations regarding third players in tackles is gaining momentum, as the rugby league community seeks to safeguard players’ health and well-being on the field.