It only took 90 seconds for week two of the Pacific Cup to explode to life at Suncorp Stadium.
In a controversial moment that seems certain to draw further scrutiny from the judiciary, Samoan enforcer Francis Molo caught Stefano Utoikamanu high with his left shoulder in just the second minute of the blockbuster between Samoa and Tonga.
The clash saw the Tongan prop leave the field for an obvious HIA and Utoikamanu was quickly ruled out for the rest of the match with a category one concussion.
Utoikamanu will now also miss next week’s crucial match against New Zealand while, controversially, Molo was only penalised by referee Todd Smith and remained on the field.
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“This is savage, legally violent,” Andrew Voss initially declared in commentary for Fox League, before changing his view after watching the replay.
“Actually he’s caught him flush in the head, lucky not to be sin binned.”
“That was flush on the chin, Francis Molo did not miss him,” Cooper Cronk agreed.
‘Fans have right to blow up’
As Utoikamanu left the field Voss explained what plenty of Tongan fans were no doubt thinking.
“This is where fans have right to blow up, if Stefano Utoikamanu has to go off, and he does, yet Molo stays on the field.”
How to fairly manage when players are forced from the field through foul play has been the source of considerable frustration and debate all NRL season, and it looks set to remain in the spotlight ahead of 2026.
“It is an area we definitely need to look at,” Fox League analyst Michael Ennis declared at half time.