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High tackle controversies overshadow dominant Storm victory
SENZ • April 13th, 2025 7:05 pm
The Storm raced out to a 36-0 lead by halftime, before easing off in the second half to finish with a 42-14 scoreline.
The Storm from the outset dominated the Warriors, who weren’t aided by the loss of co-captain James Fisher-Harris to a pec injury 11 minutes into the contest. There’s no confirmation on the extent of the injury for the Warriors’ prop.
However, a key talking point from the match will be the application of the sin bin in relation to high tackles, with decisions made during the game inconsistent with Andrew Abdo’s instructions during the ‘high tackle crackdown’ of Round 5.
Cameron Munster was penalised in the dying minutes of the match for a high tackle with what the bunker deemed “indirect, low force contact to the head”.
Justin Horo voiced his frustrations in commentary afterwards, calling for more consistency to ensure it doesn’t impact the result of games.
“What is that description?” Horo said on SEN League
“I’m sort of laughing and joking at the same time but I’m super frustrated. It’s not going to determine what happens in this game but what if that was to decide a big match, a big Origin, a big finals match, a grand final!
“That wording in a grand final? Please stop!”
SEN 1170 Afternoons host Jimmy Smith defended the referees however, saying the decision on how to officiate is made by NRL officials.
“It’s not the referees!” Smith said.
“That must come from the body, that’s the NRL!”
The Warriors had Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Marata Niukore, and Demitric Vaimauga all leave the field for HIAs, throughout the match, with Nicoll-Klokstad ruled out.
The Storm had their own injury concerns coming out of the match, with Jahrome Hughes considered 50/50 for their game against The Dolphins on Friday, after not playing the second half.
