+34
Newcastle Knights hooker Phoenix Crossland has received threats and abuse on social media following the accidental hip-drop tackle that caused Nathan Cleary to suffer a compound leg fracture and dislocated ankle. Cleary urged supporters to stop targeting Crossland, who apologised and was referred to the judiciary.
Nathan Cleary has defended Phoenix Crossland against online abuse, saying the tackle that broke his leg was a "complete accident". Crossland has been referred straight to the judiciary over the tackle, but the hearing time is still to be confirmed.
Nathan Cleary has leapt to the defence of Newcastle hooker Phoenix Crossland, pleading with fans to stop peppering the embattled Knight with social media abuse. Cleary confirmed on Monday night that Crossland had apologised for the hip-drop tackle that left him needing emergency surgery for a compound fracture and a dislocated ankle.
"Please don't be one of those people writing comments like this to Phoenix," Cleary posted alongside a graphic of some of the abuse Crossland had received. "It was a complete accident, and he doesn't deserve the unwarranted hate. He reached out to apologise, and I have nothing but respect for him.
"He's a competitor, and our game is made up of split-second moments that sometimes lead to unfortunate circumstances. The comments against Crossland included accusations the tackle was deliberate and threats to maim the Knights dummy-half. Several are not suitable for print. Crossland had almost appeared close to tears as Cleary was stretchered off Stadium Australia on a medicab after the tackle and appeared to have accepted his fate even before referee Gerard Sutton sent him off.
Crossland was referred straight to the judiciary over the incident, with Cleary's injury to be taken into account. The New Zealander will almost certainly be rubbed out of Sunday's grand final against the Sydney Roosters, with a question of how much of a ban extends to the World Cup. The longest suspension handed down for a hip-drop tackle is five weeks. That would keep Crossland out of the World Cup final, if they qualify.
"He was disappointed, we've got to try and get him upbeat," Knights coach Justin Holbrook said after Sunday's game. The ABC of SPORT
Nathan Cleary Phoenix Crossland Newcastle Knights Online Abuse Tackle
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News: You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
NRL 2026: Nathan Cleary injury sparks hip-drop debate, Phoenix Crossland send-off, Mark Nawaqanitawase contract, preliminary finals analysisDrastic move urged after ugly Cleary scene; great’s huge SBW call on ‘freakish’ star
Read more »
Nathan Cleary Suffers Compound Fracture After Hip-Drop Tackle; Phoenix Crossland Referred to NRL JudiciaryNathan Cleary broke his leg in Penrith's preliminary final loss to Newcastle after a hip-drop tackle by Phoenix Crossland, who has been referred straight to the NRL judiciary.
Read more »
Phoenix Crossland referred to NRL judiciary for hip-drop tackle that broke Nathan Cleary's ankleNewcastle hooker Phoenix Crossland has been referred straight to the NRL judiciary after being sent off for the hip-drop tackle that broke Penrith star Nathan Cleary's ankle, likely ending Crossland's grand final hopes.
Read more »
Nathan Cleary vows to return from broken ankle, Crossland faces judiciary for tacklePanthers halfback Nathan Cleary has vowed to return after his 2026 season was cut short by a broken left ankle. Phoenix Crossland will face the judiciary for the tackle that caused the injury, with Billy Slater suggesting tackling rules contributed to the incident.
Read more »