Raiders star Jordan Rapana could spend the start of the 2022 NRL season on the sideline after he was placed on report for two separate incidents during the NRL All Stars clash.
Rapana, who was playing at fullback for the Maori All Stars, was first placed on report early in the match when he landed a late shot on David Fifita.
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Fifita had set up the first try of the match after beating three defenders before putting Jessie Ramien in for the opener.
But just as Fifita handed the ball off to his centre, Rapana came in with a late shot which forced Fifita from the field as the back-rower struggled to get up on his feet.
Then just moments later, the 32-year-old Raider was again placed on report after this time landing a high shot on Ramien, who was just metres out from the try-line during an attacking opportunity for the Indigenous side.
“It’s hard to make a conventional tackle there,” NRL legend Billy Slater said in commentary for Nine, referring to Rapana’s second incident.
“It’s hard to go in with your left shoulder and wrap your arms because you’ve got another teammate involved, it’s high-speed and you have a duty to defend your line.
“You also have a duty of care not to hit the opposing player in the head, which I don’t think Jordan Rapana did on that occasion.”
David Fifita breaks three tackles to set up Jesse Ramien
That incident led to a scuffle between both sides that nearly spilled over into the stands.
Rapana, along with Indigenous star Andrew Fifita, were sent to the sin bin for their roles in the scuffle by referee Adam Gee.
Fifita was asked about the melee and his role in it not long after as both teams went into the half-time break.
He said Rapana should’ve been sent off.
“He should’ve been sent [off],” Fifita told Nine at half-time.
“He sent one of our players already off the field and then went to do it the second time.
“It is what it Is. I saw Josh Curran go in and I had to follow suit. I’m not going to leave my brother behind.”
The Maori All Stars won the fiery clash 16-10.
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