Sydney Roosters coach Trent Robinson has launched a comprehensive defence of forward Dylan Napa after a controversial sin-binning that could have State of Origin implications.
The incumbent Queensland enforcer was marched by referee Gerard Sutton in the 75th minute for dangerously leading with his head in a clash that felled Brisbane forward Korbin Sims.
The Broncos scored the match-winner through exciting winger Jamayne Isaako minutes later to cap a frenetic 28-22 Suncorp Stadium victory.
Robinson didn't blame the call for the loss but strongly disagreed with the decision in a well-articulated defence of Napa's integrity and technique.
"He (Sims) stepped off the right, rolled into the head of Dylan, Dylan wasn't even looking sideways and they've called that he intentionally went to knock him out with his head ... it's just wrong," Robinson said.
"It's no one's fault there, you're allowed to be physical in our game and if someone wants to step off their right foot to avoid the contact with the left shoulder he's got to go across the head to the other side of the body - and he didn't get there ... that's how they clashed heads.
"There's other issues there why we didn't win the game, but that's a gross error and unacceptable at this level."
Retired Broncos Gorden Tallis and Ben Hannant were among the many critics of the sin-binning, both labelling it ridiculous during Triple M's coverage of the game.
Tallis was particularly scathing, saying every player was taught to tackle that way and the contact was simply accidental.
Napa has carried over 75 points after an early guilty plea last round and will wait anxiously on the verdict ahead of the June 6 Origin opener.
The club may even risk contesting the charge, given Robinson believed it wasn't even a penalty.
"Yeah, it was the wrong call, pretty simply," the coach said.
"It happens in our game, is unfortunate for Korbin but it's not a penalty or a sin bin ... it's a horrible call."
Brisbane coach Wayne Bennett wouldn't comment on the incident other than to say the tackle was "not a great look", but did say that Sims seemed to escape unscathed.
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