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Sydney Roosters prop Sam Moa felt hard done by when he was suspended for touching referee Gavin Reynolds. His sense of injustice only grew when he heard that St George Illawarra hooker Heath L’Estrange did the same thing last Monday and escaped censure.
“I was in violation of the rules and I will cop it on the chin,” Moa said. “But I was a bit disappointed it got cited in the first place. I am aware Gavin Reynolds was quoted saying he didn’t think anything of it.
“He didn’t feel intimidated at all by it. It is done now. I got a fair hearing. Just disappointed it even got cited. I think everyone who knows me knows there wasn’t any intent in the action.
“It was more of a natural reaction — I am familiar with the ref, I have met him a few times. I felt like I know him. I think they just want to send a message out there.
“It’s just disappointing I got charged.”
Reynolds has been a regular visitor to Roosters training in recent years, in the process building up a relationship with Moa.
“Gavin has been to a few of our training sessions throughout the year,” Moa said.
“I have had a running joke with him. There wasn’t any aggression in what I was saying to him or the way I approached him. I think they just wanted to make it clear you can’t have any contact with the ref.
“I just hope they’re consistent with that throughout the year.”
When it was pointed out L’Estrange had touched a match official on Monday night, Moa said: “I was told Heath touched the ref and nothing came out of that, so it’s a bit disappointing.”
Asked about the L’Estrange incident last night, the NRL said the wording of the rule left the discretion in the hands of the match review committee. In the case of L’Estrange, the committee felt the contact was only minor.
That was cold comfort to Moa, although he was keen to put it behind him as he prepared to make his return from a one-match ban against the Gold Coast in Gosford on Sunday.
The Roosters have lost their past seven games at the venue and they head to the NSW central coast wary of the danger presented by the Titans.
“They beat us, I think, last year and the year before,” Moa said.
“Everyone is writing them off but we’re certainly not doing that. We’re expecting a physical encounter.”
Moa was recently linked with the Titans although he was quick to distance himself from a move yesterday after receiving assurances from the club’s hierarchy, including coach Trent Robinson, that he was still wanted.
“As it stands, I signed a two-year contract last year and if I had any intention of not honouring that or chasing a longer-term deal, I would have done that,” Moa said.
“I know where I stand with Robbo.”
Sydney Roosters prop Sam Moa felt hard done by when he was suspended for touching referee Gavin Reynolds. His sense of injustice only grew when he heard that St George Illawarra hooker Heath L’Estrange did the same thing last Monday and escaped censure.
“I was in violation of the rules and I will cop it on the chin,” Moa said. “But I was a bit disappointed it got cited in the first place. I am aware Gavin Reynolds was quoted saying he didn’t think anything of it.
“He didn’t feel intimidated at all by it. It is done now. I got a fair hearing. Just disappointed it even got cited. I think everyone who knows me knows there wasn’t any intent in the action.
“It was more of a natural reaction — I am familiar with the ref, I have met him a few times. I felt like I know him. I think they just want to send a message out there.
“It’s just disappointing I got charged.”
Reynolds has been a regular visitor to Roosters training in recent years, in the process building up a relationship with Moa.
“Gavin has been to a few of our training sessions throughout the year,” Moa said.
“I have had a running joke with him. There wasn’t any aggression in what I was saying to him or the way I approached him. I think they just wanted to make it clear you can’t have any contact with the ref.
“I just hope they’re consistent with that throughout the year.”
When it was pointed out L’Estrange had touched a match official on Monday night, Moa said: “I was told Heath touched the ref and nothing came out of that, so it’s a bit disappointing.”
Asked about the L’Estrange incident last night, the NRL said the wording of the rule left the discretion in the hands of the match review committee. In the case of L’Estrange, the committee felt the contact was only minor.
That was cold comfort to Moa, although he was keen to put it behind him as he prepared to make his return from a one-match ban against the Gold Coast in Gosford on Sunday.
The Roosters have lost their past seven games at the venue and they head to the NSW central coast wary of the danger presented by the Titans.
“They beat us, I think, last year and the year before,” Moa said.
“Everyone is writing them off but we’re certainly not doing that. We’re expecting a physical encounter.”
Moa was recently linked with the Titans although he was quick to distance himself from a move yesterday after receiving assurances from the club’s hierarchy, including coach Trent Robinson, that he was still wanted.
“As it stands, I signed a two-year contract last year and if I had any intention of not honouring that or chasing a longer-term deal, I would have done that,” Moa said.
“I know where I stand with Robbo.”
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