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Russell Packer, pictured acknowledging a Wests Tigers win over the Broncos, reportedly abandoned his last game at halftime due to a cold sensation.
A Wests Tigers official says he can understand why Kiwi prop Russell Packer pulled out of an NRL game at halftime because cold weather could aggravate his arthritis.
Packer and Tigers teammate Josh Reynolds was filmed by Fox TV leaving Brookvale Oval on Saturday night with his team behind the Manly Sea Eagles at interval.
Reynolds was not selected for the game and Packer, who was the 19th man, had warmed up with the team before kick-off. They left the team bench at halftime.
the Daily telegraph reported the couple told Tigers coach Michael Maguire Sunday morning that they left because they were feeling the cold.
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Maguire said News Corp Australia: “Look, there is no hard and fast rule that they have to be in games. Russ was our 19th man and Josh got to be with the boys.”
However, Tigers CEO Justin Pascoe said the pair’s actions, among the highest paid in the club, with Reynolds at $ A850,000 a year and Packer at $ 750,000, were “unacceptable, from my perspective. perspective”.
“We are focused on ensuring that each person, the actions of the board of directors of the manager of the player coach are in full alignment with the expectation of higher standards,” Pascoe said. Fox Sports.
“The behaviors you ignore are the behaviors you accept, and we will not ignore these, they should be addressed and not accepted.”
Wests Tigers president Lee Hagipantelis was a bit more lenient in an interview with the Sydney morning herald, saying that “both players have recognized that their action creates a perception, but the perception is not reality.”
“I’ve spoken to both of them and they have acknowledged that it was not a good image. There was no intention on their part to show disrespect or lack of unity.
“Russell suffers from an arthritic condition and had multiple surgeries on his foot to try and help him play again. Sitting there in the cold affects him, that’s true. “
Packer, Reynolds and the injured Michael Chee Kam missed the Tigers’ comeback 36-34.
The 30-year-old Packer is under contract with the Tigers through the end of 2021, but has been limited to six games this season due to injury and coach Michael Maguire’s preference to play against other leaders.
He hasn’t played since the Tigers’ round 15 loss to the Roosters a fortnight ago.