Canberra Raiders enforcer Joe Tapine pulled off one of the biggest hits in recent memory on Saturday night, taking out a helpless Reece Walsh.
With his side starring down the barrel of a defeat, Tapine showed no mercy to Walsh, who was holding the ball up aiming to get to the full-time whistle unharmed.
Reece Walsh: crash test dummy. #NRLRaidersBroncos pic.twitter.com/nU0YXXLRBS
— The Cumberland Throw (@EelsTCT) August 26, 2023
The hit divided the NRL community, with some arguing the shot should have carried a penalty for Tapine despite it being allowed in the NRL rules.
Canberra Raiders senior NRL consultant Michael Maguire defended the imposing front-rower for the shot but heaped praise on Walsh for how well he took it.
“He’s one hell of a player Reece Walsh, he’s going to learn some lessons as he goes, I guess when you’re young you learn your way,” Maguire told SEN 1170 Afternoons.
“Reece Walsh, when we played them the first time, he pulled up on a play then he took off and nearly scored, I’m sure that would’ve been in the memory of Joe (Tapine).
“Joe came through and cleaned him up, it was one hell of a hit.”
Maguire brushed off any claims of bad blood between the pair, stating that both players spoke to each other post-game.
“He bounced straight up and there was a little push and shove after but I think they got together after that,” Maguire added.
“It’s all part of the game.”
SEN host Jimmy Smith also defended Tapine for playing to the referee’s whistle, claiming all rugby league fans enjoyed it.
“I don’t think there’s anyone that is a league lover that didn’t love that,” Smith said.
“You play to the whistle, you play to the end, that’s how people want them to play.”