South Sydney have launched a stunning broadside against rookie St George Illawarra coach Steve Price after Greg Inglis copped a grade four dangerous contact charge on Monday.
Inglis is facing up to five games on the sidelines following his shoulder charge on Dragons hooker Dean Young on Saturday.
Young was stretchered off wearing a neck brace after the incident in the 33rd minute of Souths’ 36-14 win over the Dragons at ANZ Stadium.
Price compared the challenge to that of Dragons forward Matt Prior, banned for five games after being sent off for a high shot on North Queensland’s Johnathan Thurston earlier in the season.
In a strongly-worded statement shortly after Inglis was charged on Monday, Souths coach Michael Maguire laid into Price and said his claims led to the high grading.
“Steve Price’s comments have exacerbated this situation,” Maguire said.
“He came out and compared this tackle to one where his player was charged earlier in the year, where he raised his elbow and struck an opposition player square in the face.
“To compare these two incidents is ridiculous to say the least and to do so can only be designed to be inflammatory and to try and prejudice the case before it reaches the match review committee.”
Maguire said Price had broken NRL rules by commenting on the situation and should be punished.
“We operated within the rules of the NRL. The Dragons didn’t,” he said.
“It is against the NRL rules to comment on any matter that is subject to review by the match review committee or the judiciary.
“Steve Price’s comments have incited a media frenzy around this incident.
“If this isn’t a clear case of trying to prejudice a case against a player then I don’t know what is.
“We want to know what the ARLC is going to do about his comments, which were made two days ago, which are clearly against the rules, as it is harmful to the game and reputation of our player and our club.
“It’s bad for the game, yet despite several conversations with the ARLC by myself and the CEO since Saturday’s game, nothing has been done about it.”
Rabbitohs chief executive Richardson backed his coach and echoed his call for action to be taken against Price.
“It clearly states in the NRL Code of Conduct, section 30, sub-sections (1) and (2) under the heading of Public Comment, that no one shall comment on any subject of a proceeding before the Match Review Committee,” Richardson said.
“The tackle was put on report and was therefore going to be reviewed by the Match Review Committee.
“We did the right thing and made no adverse comments on the situation, but Steve Price did, and he’s broken the rules.
“It needs to be acted upon, and it needed to happen yesterday.”
