Australia 24 Warrington 0: Brasher incident sparks outcry
Sydney Morning Herald, Friday, November 11 1994
KANGAROO management will challenge Britain’s Rugby Football League today after fullback Tim Brasher was jostled by a security guard and second-rower Paul Sironen was abused by a trainer in last night’s spiteful 24-0 win over Warrington at Wilderspool.
Referee Bob Connolly meted out eight penalties for high tackles and as many others went unpunished in easily the most physical game of the tour. But Connolly waited until the 79th minute to use the sin-bin and that was for fighting.
The game finished with a brawl in the corner, within centimetres of spectators. After being dragged away by a grandstand attendant, Brasher was sent to the sin-bin.
Connolly is the twin brother of British international whistleblower John. An angry Australian coach Bob Fulton told journalists: “Thank God they aren’t triplets.
“We can’t continue to put up with that sort of lack of action from a referee.”
Fulton, who, like several of his players, was suffering the effects of a virus, said: “He should have taken some action earlier and what eventuated wouldn’t have happened.
“What can you do? [RFL referees co-ordinator] Greg McCallum’s over here, he saw it first hand. He’s the one that’s got to control it. It’s his responsibility.
“I just can’t understand why sides go on like that. So many head-highs were floating around, and their trainer came out and had a shot at Sirro, calling him a big tart or something.”
Sironen said: “I’m getting a bit sick of it. I’ve been copping high shots in every game. You try to exercise self-control up to a point but it gets difficult.”
Both sides were guilty of illegal play in slippery conditions. Australian centre Terry Hill was fortunate to remain on the field after tackling opposite number Jonathan Roper high in the eighth minute and handing him a facial 10 minutes later.
Kangaroo skipper Allan Langer said Connolly refused to discuss decisions with him.
Brasher was indignant when he was sent to the sin-bin for running a distance to become involved in the 79th-minute melee. He had a heated exchange with touch judge Ian Muir as he left the field.
“How could I have run a distance to be in a fight when I was the one playing the ball?” Brasher asked.
“And this security guard came and grabbed me. At first, I thought I was being attacked by some crazed fan.”
Warrington bustled the Australians, keeping them scoreless for 22 minutes before second-rower Steve Menzies touched down off a Langer kick.
Brasher and winger Wendell Sailor each scored before the break but the north-of-neck hits continued unabated.
In the second session, play emerged from its overall shabbiness only when the tourists managed to string together some flamboyant attack and produced impenetrable cover defence.
• Great Britain’s star winger Martin Offiah is out of the Ashes decider at Elland Road on Sunday week.
Offiah, the world’s costliest player at £440,000 (SA941,600), damaged a finger in last Saturday’s ‘Old Trafford Test.
A scan has revealed a ruptured tendon and Offiah will go into hospital tomorrow for an operation.
He will then need three weeks to recover, ruling him out of the Test.
• New Manly recruit Alan Hunte is prepared to consider joining the anticipated permanent exodus of British stars to Australia.
Fulton, the Sea Eagles coach, yesterday announced Great Britain back Hunte and his St Helens teammate Scott Gibbs, a Welsh international, had agreed to short-term deals for next season.
The arrangements were pending final confirmation from the St Helens board, Fulton said.
Both just 22, they could become prime targets to follow Andy Platt, Denis Betts, St John Ellis and Mike Ford in turning their back on the British game and on Test football.