Former Queensland hit-man Tonie Carroll says Josh Papalii’s shuddering tackle on Manly forward Jamie Buhrer last weekend was further evidence rugby league can still be a brutal contact sport without the dangerous shoulder charge.
The Canberra star’ full-blooded tackle, the impact of which sent Buhrer reeling several metres backwards, is already a raging hot favourite for NRL hit of the year.
Carroll, who was Darren Lockyer’s designated bodyguard for Brisbane and Queensland until he retired a few seasons ago said Papalii’s tackle was “as clean as a whistle”.
“It was beautiful …. it was a classic, so clean. It was as good as any tackle I’ve seen,” said Carroll who played 18 Origins and 207 games for Brisbane under Wayne Bennett’s coaching.
Carroll was a feared defender who hit like a jack-hammer which is why he was Lockyer’s on-field minder to deter big forwards running him.
He was never a fan of the now banned shoulder charge and believes Papalii’s bellringer is ample proof fans can still see massive collisions with less risk to the players’ welfare.
“I’m really happy the NRL have banned the shoulder charge to be honest,” Carroll said after Papalii was named 18th man in Queensland’s Origin squad ahead of game one at ANZ Stadium on Wednesday.
“It makes guys hit cleaner and like Josh’s tackle, it’s a memorable tackle.
“That’s what makes rugby league, not a shoulder charge or a flashy runner, it’s a guy who can hit a person with everything he’s got. It’s just beautiful.”
Carroll said he never resorted to using a shoulder charge to stop a player.
“I class myself as a tackler and that’s how I was was taught,” he said.
“It was drummed into me to drop as late as possible and drive in hard.”
Carroll, who played his last Origin in the second of Queensland’s seven straight series wins in 2007, said he liked the fact Meninga had stuck with experienced blokes who’d done it before.
“There’s a couple of new guys in there who deserve their spots,” he said.
“I would have liked to have seen Josh (Papalii) in the side, he’s been playing the house down all year.”
Carroll warned the Blues had their own human destroyer in young rookie Andrew Fafita who stepped up for injured Cronulla captain Paul Gallen with a monumental performance in the Shark’s tenacious 14-12 upset of South Sydney on Monday night.
The young prop returned the Gallen-like stats with a game high 200 metres from 23 hit ups to go with 43 tackles in an inspired 65 minute unbroken contribution to celebrate his Origin selection 24 hours earlier.
“New South Wales have got a really great pack, a really physical pack and it’s very important Queensland are on their game down there (Sydney) because it will be a tough one to win.” said Carroll.
“But Mal’s picked a side that can win the series.”
