Canberra’s season is hanging by a thread after a costly moment changed the game for the Raiders against the Broncos — and it’s not the first time.
A brain fade from Jordan Rapana has brought the Raiders back to the pack after he was sent for 10 in the bin trying to trip Selwyn Cobbo late in his side’s 29-18 loss to the Broncos.
Cobbo burst down the right side before cutting back in to score to give the Broncos a 20-18 lead in the 61st minute.
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But as Rapana was beaten, he appeared to lash out with his feet trying to trip the Broncos winger — or at least that’s how the Bunker saw it.
“It’s been reviewed, it’s a deliberate action and a kick out that makes contact. It’s on report and in the bin,” referee Adam Gee said.
In commentary, Fox Sports Dan Ginnane said: “Well, big twist now. Jordan Rapana sent to the bin.”
Greg Alexander said it was an “attempted trip”.
Rapana has some recent history with poor in-goal attempts.
Last week, he dived in with the knees trying to stop Viliame Kikau from scoring and was handed a $3000 fine.
The week before he was fined another $3000 for tripping.
Post-match, Fox League analysts Corey Parker, Greg Alexander and Mal Meninga blasted the Raiders outside back for the latest drama.
“He’s had a habit of doing this over recent weeks Jordan Rapana,” Parker said. “He cost his team 10 minutes. And who would have known if he was on the field what would have come of that because the Broncos were able to put the foot down, get a couple of tries while he was off the field.
“More importantly, so far and deep into the game when they were really clinging into the battle, you lose a player and your fullback was critical.
“It was the turning point for the Canberra Raiders. He’d done some wonderful things throughout the game and the last few weeks but plays like that just really cost you from a team perspective.”
Rapana was given his marching orders. Photo: Fox Sports
Rapana knew he’d made a mistake. Photo: Fox Sports
Greg Alexander said that it was becoming a pattern for the Raiders star.
“The fact that he’d been in trouble the week before and the week before (that) in the in-goal area tripping … he’d had some trouble in the in-goal area leading into this game,” Alexander said.
“I think he’s a great player. Love Jordan Rapana. He can come up with some special things but that was costly.”
Raiders legend Mal Meninga said he believed Rapana’s brain snap cost his side the game, adding the issue is “unforgivable”.
“If I’m Ricky Stuart, I’ll kill him,” he said. “That was a very important part of the game.
“If I’m Ricky Stuart I’m going to give him a gobful after the match because I think he cost his team the opportunity to win the game. And he is a repeat offender. He cannot help himself.
“There’s no doubt he’s been warned about these habits, because it is a habit, it is ill-discipline. You can’t have that sort of ill-discipline in these types of games at the back end of the year when your team needs to win, they need to get the two points. Now they’ve got to go to Shark Park and they’ve got to win that game.
“If they don’t win that game, they’re out the back door. Moments like that are a coach-killer.”
After coach Ricky Stuart blew up in the press conference, Parker said: “If he wants to get peeved off with someone, he should be getting peeved off with Rapana.”
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