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'That's from the 80s': Voss outraged by 'reckless' hit on Warriors sparkplug Tuaupiki
Sport Nation • June 16th, 2025 1:30 pm
Taine Tuaupiki | Photo: Photosport
Alfred Smalley's "dog shot" on Warriors back Taine Tuaupiki during their NSW Cup fixture against the Parramatta Eels last weekend has come under fire from all angles.
Veteran broadcaster Andrew Voss has added his voice to the calls for the former Manly Sea Eagles centre to be severely reprimanded for the hit that saw the Warriors utility laid out prone for several minutes, sparking a fracas among players from both sides.
Replays show Smalley flying off his defensive line and catching Tuapuiki with his shoulder and forearm to the head, then compounding the incident by flopping on top of the Warriors back, who appeared to be unconscious.
The 26-year-old eventually left the field under his own esteem, taking to social media after the match to reassure those concerned with his health.
"That's from the 80s," Voss told Sport Nation's Mornings on Monday.
"Ordinary and reckless at the highest degree. It's not just a careless high tackle, is it? It's a reckless high tackle."
The on-field referee had no hesitation in sending Smalley straight to the showers and, according to Voss, it may be some time until he's allowed to return to the field, with a date with the judiciary pending.
The incident occurred with just 10 seconds left in a match Smally's team were trailing by 46-22, suggesting a certain level of intent behind the hit.
Voss believes Smalley faces "at least" an eight match ban.
"You've got to ask in cross-examination, what's your intention here in the tackle? You've raced in and you're reckless. There couldn't have been too much thought to the consequences.
"It's a really bad one and I think they will come down heavy on it, I really do."
Sport Nation NRL commentator and co-host of the Running It Straight podcast Sam Hewat reiterated those sentiments.
“Absolute dog shot here to the head of Taine Tuaupiki in NSW Cup. ZERO leeway for this in our game. 10 seconds to go in the match, down by 22 points, and you fly inside two of your own defenders to try and take a guy’s head off,” he wrote on X.
“Justifiably sent off in the game but should get more.”
Tuaupiki has returned to Auckland, where the Warriors host the Penrith Panthers on Saturday. It's unclear if he'll be in consideration for selection.
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