Panthers vs Roosters LIVE scores: Penrith leading after first half marred by sin-bin controversy

By Zachary Gates10:39

Rugby league icons Phil Gould and Paul Gallen have fumed over the referee’s decision to send Roosters forward Siosiua Taukeeiaho to the sin bin for a high shot on Panthers halfback Nathan Cleary.

While Taukeiaho’s right arm hit Cleary’s head with great force, the Tricolours enforcer was impacted by the slippery surface as heavy rain fell on the BlueBet Stadium pitch.

When referee Ashley Klein send Taukeiaho to the sin bin and reasoned that no mitigating circumstances existed, Gould took exception to the 23rd-minute ruling.

“No mitigating circumstances? It’s slippery as hell out there. Anyway, that’s the new world,” Gould said on Nine’s coverage.

“His arm’s down by his side; Cleary falls into him.

“They’ve got to be fair to the players – they really do.

It took less than a minute for the Panthers to take advantage of the Roosters having just 12 men on the field, boom winger Brian To’o crossing for a try in a left-edge overlap.

And the hosts added another four-pointer through To’o while Taukeiaho was out of action, this time in the 31st minute.

Gallen vented his frustration as Penrith winger Brian To’o crossed for a try less than a minute after the sin-bin call, a moment in which the Panthers took advantage of the Roosters having just 12 men on the park.

“Against 12 players it makes it a whole lot easier. The referees have got to understand what sending a player to the sin bin does,” Gallen said.

“Now the fact that he said there were no mitigating circumstances there was ridiculous. There was absolutely mitigating circumstances. It’s been raining down here for an hour, it’s slippery as well, you’ve got a big front-rower and a halfback with footwork.

“To be sent to the sin bin for that is a very, very tough one – and I am not condoning hits to the head whatsoever.”