Parramatta Eels centre Alfred Smalley will spend more than a month on the sidelines, after knocking out NZ Warriors fullback Taine Tuaupiki in the final seconds of an NSW Cup game in Sydney.
Tuaupiki, who started the season playing on the wing with the Warriors first-grade team, was at fullback for the reserves last weekend as they cruised to a 46-22 win over the Eels - their ninth straight victory to sit three points clear atop the table.
As fulltime approached and with the Warriors on attack, Smalley shot out of the defensive line to plant a high shoulder shot on Tuaupiki - who was knocked out cold, but able to leave the field under his own steam and fly back to Auckland with his team.
Auckland-born Smalley, 26, who logged two NRL appearances with Manly Sea Eagles in 2022, was sent from the field and has been suspended for five games after lodging an early plea for 'Grade Three Careless High Tackle - Reckless' with the judiciary.
His actions attracted widespread outrage on social media. They were described as an "absolute dog shot" and "beyond disgraceful", among other things.
Taine Tuaupiki celebrates a pre-season try for the Warriors. Photo: Jeremy Ward/Photosport
"I've spoken to Taine, I saw him yesterday and given him a day away from the place today," Warriors coach Andrew Webster told media on Tuesday.
"It looked bad, but he pulled up pretty well afterwards. We just want to make sure he's OK.
"It was tough to see. I was watching it at home and it was such a good win, but an unfortunate circumstance at the end of the game."
Tuaupiki remains under concussion protocols, and has not been named for either first-grade or the reserves, when they face Penrith Panthers at home on Saturday.
"That's the beauty of the protocols," Webster said. "If he doesn't hit the markers, you can say, 'No, you're not playing' and if he hits the markers, you can say, 'Yep, you can play'.
"You're always looking at the symptoms and how the player's reacting, rather than giving them a certain number of days off and playing them.
"They've still got to tick boxes and pass tests, and if they fail, we don't play them."
Tuaupiki, 25, has made 20 first-grade appearances for the Warriors and is contracted through to the end of 2026.
He was the star of the their 2024 victory over the four-time defending champion Panthers in their last meeting at 'Magic Round' in Brisbane, scoring a late try and converting for the 22-20 win.
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