Bulldogs’ Sitili Tupouniua Facing Lengthy Ban Following Broncos Clash
Canterbury Bulldogs forward Sitili Tupouniua is set to miss between five to seven games after being charged for two separate incidents during his side’s heavy 42-18 defeat to the Brisbane Broncos.
Tupouniua was first sent to the sin bin for a shoulder charge on Brendan Piakura and later penalised for leading with a raised knee into the same player while carrying the ball. The NRL match review committee has handed down a 3-4 game suspension for the shoulder charge and an additional 2-3 games for the raised knee. He can reduce the total to five matches if he enters early guilty pleas for both charges.
The Bulldogs were hit with further disciplinary blows in the same game. Prop Josh Curran received a 3-4 game suspension for a shoulder charge on Broncos prop Payne Haas, and Matt Burton was slapped with a 1-2 game ban for a high shot on Billy Walters. If early pleas are taken, the club will be without key personnel for a combined total of nine matches.
Controversy Over Missed Call by the Bunker
The NRL’s video review system came under heavy criticism after Tupouniua’s raised knee incident went largely unpunished during the game. Although referee Gerard Sutton awarded a penalty and placed Tupouniua on report, the Bunker decided no further action was necessary at the time, allowing the forward to remain on the field.
Footage showed Tupouniua’s knee making direct contact with Piakura’s head, followed by a secondary kicking motion as the Broncos player fell in the tackle. The act occurred just minutes after Tupouniua had returned from the sin bin for his earlier shoulder charge.
The incident drew widespread backlash from commentators and fans alike. Renowned journalist Phil Rothfield took to social media, questioning how Tupouniua escaped further punishment: “How the f*** is Tupouniua not in the sin bin? Kneed a bloke in the head.” He later added, “This could easily have been a send-off. The NRL has completely lost the plot with the Bunker.”
Former players echoed the sentiment, with Brad Fittler stating on Nine, “You can’t have that,” and Bulldogs great Michael Ennis calling Tupouniua “lucky to stay on the field.”
More Drama in a Heated Contest
The Bulldogs’ ill-discipline saw three players sin-binned throughout the match—Curran, Tupouniua, and Marcelo Montoya—while Broncos speedster Deine Mariner was also binned late for a high shot on Viliame Kikau.
Despite the dominant victory, Brisbane were left with concerns of their own. Captain Adam Reynolds exited the game late with a shoulder injury, casting doubt over his availability in coming weeks. However, the Broncos were buoyed by standout performances from Haas and Selwyn Cobbo, who impressed in the absence of Reece Walsh.
The loss marked the Bulldogs’ first defeat of the 2025 season, bringing them back to earth after a strong start to the year.
