NRL news, updates: Fans up in arms over ugly ‘dog shot' on exciting Warriors talent Taine Tuaupiki, New Zealand, Parramatta Eels
Former Manly Eagles centre Alfred Smalley is facing an extended stint on the sidelines after a sickening dog shot on exciting Warriors talent Taine Tuaupiki in the NSW Cup on Saturday.
In the closing seconds of the Warriors' 46-22 win a frustrated Smalley lost his head, charging out of the line and flooring the young fullback.
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Video of the incident appears to show the 26-year-old strike the New Zealand fullback with his shoulder or forearm, sending him flying backwards.
If that wasn't enough Smalley then flopped on top of Tuaupiki who was out cold.
Smalley was unsurprisingly sent off, while Tuaupiki was helped to his feet.
You can watch the ugly incident in the player above.
Former Manly Eagles centre Alfred Smalley is facing an extended stint on the sidelines after a sickening dog shot on exciting Warriors talent Taine Tuaupiki. Image: Getty/X
Incredibly with the help of the trainer the 25-year-old managed to walk off the field and informed fans hours later that he was doing okay on social media.
But rugby league commentator Sam Hewat was disgusted by what he witnessed.
'Absolute dog shot here to the head of Taine Tuaupiki in NSW Cup. ZERO leeway for this in our game. 10 seconds to go in the match, down by 22 points, and you fly inside two of your own defenders to try and take a guy's head off,' he wrote on X.
'Justifiably sent off in the game but should get more.'
And fans were equally outraged.
'That's beyond disgraceful. He should have the book thrown at him,' one fan wrote.
'That's a total disgrace,' another added.
'That's disgusting,' a third wrote.
Fortunately, Tuaupiki recovered enough from the incident to be cleared to board the plane home to Auckland on Saturday night.
Originally published as Footy world outraged over former NRL player's ugly 'dog shot'
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