Jarome Luai has staunchly defended his former teammate, Stephen Crichton, against any insinuations that he was responsible for being bitten by Kyle Flanagan during the Bulldogs’ 28-10 victory over the Dragons. The incident occurred midway through the second half when Flanagan allegedly bit Crichton on the nose while the two were wrestling on the ground. Despite clear video evidence showing what looked like a bite, Flanagan pleaded not guilty when he appeared before the NRL judiciary on Tuesday night.
Flanagan maintained that he was the actual victim in the tackle. He described the situation as feeling cornered and pressured by Bulldogs defenders, with Crichton’s nose supposedly poking into his eye. Flanagan explained that Crichton moved his head forward, creating a smothering sensation that made him feel trapped. In response, Flanagan claimed he executed what he called a “crocodile technique,” which involved rolling over to play the ball for his team.
Further defending his actions, Flanagan asserted that his eyes were closed during the incident, leading to an involuntary partial closing of his mouth. He insisted that he did not intentionally bite Crichton, and therefore, did not cause the injuries that resulted in Crichton’s bloody nose. Flanagan’s defense centered on the argument that he had no intention of biting and that the injuries were not a result of his actions.
At the time of the incident, Crichton did not react with anger or file an on-field complaint, though he was seen wiping what appeared to be blood from his nose as he rejoined the defensive line. It was only after the game that Crichton decided to formally lodge a complaint. However, like in a previous case involving Tyson Gamble and Jack Wighton, Crichton did not testify at the judiciary hearing on Tuesday. The judiciary, nevertheless, found Flanagan guilty of biting Crichton, resulting in a four-match suspension, effectively ending Flanagan’s participation in the remainder of the home and away season.
In the wake of the decision, Jarome Luai spoke out in defense of Crichton, dismissing any claims that Crichton might have exaggerated or fabricated the incident. Luai argued that Crichton is not the type to raise a complaint unless it is something serious. He emphasized the unwritten rule in rugby league that “what happens on the field, stays on the field,” suggesting that for Crichton to speak out, it must have been a significant issue. Luai noted that Crichton likely required stitches and described the injury as serious, evident from the amount of blood and the post-game situation. Luai also criticized the idea of biting in the sport, calling it “baby stuff” and stating that such behavior has no place in rugby league.
As for the notion that Crichton might have been at fault for positioning himself too close to Flanagan’s face, Luai dismissed that argument, explaining that in most tackles, players are trained to get in tight to slow down the ruck. He noted that such close contact happens frequently in tackles but rarely leads to incidents like biting. Luai’s comments were in line with the judiciary panel’s findings, which absolved Crichton of any blame for the injuries he sustained.
The judiciary panel, consisting of Henry Perenara and Greg McCallum, determined that Flanagan’s actions were intentional, noting that his mouth was fully closed around Crichton’s nose at one point. NRL counsel Lachlan Gyles also argued that Flanagan was entirely responsible for the incident, asserting that Crichton’s nose was compressed in Flanagan’s mouth before being released. Gyles highlighted that Crichton’s aggressive behavior might have provoked Flanagan, but it did not justify the biting.
Ultimately, Flanagan’s four-match suspension serves as a reminder of the serious consequences of such actions on the field. Meanwhile, Luai’s defense of Crichton underscores the camaraderie and mutual respect among players, as well as the belief that certain lines should not be crossed in the heat of competition.
