Brown erupts over Melbourne's 'illegal tactics'

AAP & rugbyleaguelive.com | 25/07/08 | 0

AUDIO - 'Nathan's out of line': Brian Waldron returns serve

AUDIO - Hear Brown's monumental spray

St George Illawarra coach Nathan Brown has warned of an NRL "bloodbath" unless the game's governing body stops turning a blind eye to Melbourne's use of illegal tactics.

Brown unleashed the extraordinary and pre-meditated outburst after claiming to be insulted by Billy Slater's defence at the NRL judiciary.

The Storm fullback said he was provoked into instigating an all-in brawl by a series of headbutts from Dragons winger Jason Nightingale.

Slater successfully argued for a downgrade on his contrary conduct charge after he was pinged by the match review committee for unleashing a flurry of punches on Nightingale.

"As far as I'm concerned the only thing Jason did wrong is he didn't headbutt him hard enough," Brown said.

"That's what he should have done.

"Then Jeff Lima kicks Jason Ryles in the scrum, and then Ryles gets sent off for kicking back.

"Jason Ryles should have unpacked out of the scrum and put one on his chin and then when he went down give him more because you've got to fight the fire with the fire.

"Whingeing about it ... it does shit, it doesn't do anything."

An incensed Brown claimed the Storm were getting away with murder at the ruck, and called for officials to stamp it out of the game or for other teams to be given the same leniency.

And he warned of dire ramifications should officials continue to ignore concerns from rival NRL sides, with Sydney Roosters coach Brad Fittler and Cronulla and Australian Test coach Ricky Stuart this week both voicing their disapproval of the Storm tactics.

Brown even hinted at a new type of tackle being used to slow down the play the ball, with the `Shinboner' - where an defender uses his shinbone to rub up and down the attacker's Achilles heel, being used on several of his players.

This just adds to the list which already includes the grapple, the prowler, the crusher and the chicken wing.

"Melbourne have been very, very good at it (and have been) for a long time," Brown said.

"We're not good enough at it - they're better at ... half of it they invented, they'll tell you they didn't.

"It doesn't bother me they do it, but what bothers me is the officials in our game keep letting the system down.

"We went there the other night to ruffle their feathers.

"They keep letting it happen and my advice to other sides is the only chance you've got of beating Melbourne is to join in, you join in and get in and rip in a make the game a bloodbath.

"That's the only way you can win unless the officials want to change their approach to the game."

Brown made no secret of the fact his side wanted to muscle up against the Storm, but admitted that game plan was thrown out the window when enforcer Ryles was sent off for kicking Lima, a decision referees boss Robert Finch panned the next day.

The Dragons mentor, who last week signed a three-year deal to coach Huddersfield in the English Super League next season, said he hoped the red and whites were handed another assignment against the Storm this season.

That will only happen if the two should meet in the finals, but it promises to be a spicy one should it eventuate.

"I hope we get another crack at the Storm because you can tell the officials if they're going to keep reffing the way they ref the ruck, we're coming harder next time because that's the way, you've got to fight it," he said.

"My tip for every side is don't worry about whingeing about what's happening, just join in."

As far as I'm concerned the only thing Jason did wrong is he didn't headbutt him hard enough... Nathan Brown on Jason Nightingale's involvement