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Kangaroos forward Corey Parker says New Zealand prop Martin Taupau's throat-slitting gesture in response to a Sam Thaiday crusher tackle is not a good look for the game.
Following his side's 26-12 loss to New Zealand at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday - the Kangaroos' third consecutive loss against the Kiwis - Parker took offence to the reaction of Taupau, who made a gesture towards Thaiday which involved him scratching his thumb across his neck.
Before the gesture was made Thaiday put Taupau in a headlock, but it was his extreme reaction to the tackle which not only surprised Thaiday on the field, but outraged Parker off it.
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"I was on the bench when that happened and to be very honest, that's not a good look for the game, gee whiz," Parker told Sky Sports Radio's Big Sports Breakfast on Monday. "He [Taupau] is passionate and he's sort of their go-to guy off the bench but if you were a young kid looking in the stands watching that, I don't know what you're going to think."
The heated exchange came midway through the first half as an inspired New Zealand side steamrolled Tim Sheens' lacklustre Australians. The gesture was also replayed on the big screen which resulted in a roar of disapproval from the Brisbane crowd.
"I don't condone that [gesture] but he's certainly come a long way in 12 months," Parker said. "I think it would be fair to say 12 months ago you might not have known too much about Marty Taupau, but certainly you do now."
After the match Taupau was reluctant to speak about the incident and was downplaying his outburst, saying he and Thaiday had since moved on.
"It's probably best not to say anything," Taupau said. "Whatever happens on the field stays on the field. After that me and Sammy, we're good.
"We've spoken about it and it's all good, it's all gone."
However the incident did not go unnoticed on social media, as many fans debated whether the gesture overstepped the line in the heat of battle.
Kangaroos forward Corey Parker says New Zealand prop Martin Taupau's throat-slitting gesture in response to a Sam Thaiday crusher tackle is not a good look for the game.
Following his side's 26-12 loss to New Zealand at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday - the Kangaroos' third consecutive loss against the Kiwis - Parker took offence to the reaction of Taupau, who made a gesture towards Thaiday which involved him scratching his thumb across his neck.
Before the gesture was made Thaiday put Taupau in a headlock, but it was his extreme reaction to the tackle which not only surprised Thaiday on the field, but outraged Parker off it.
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"I was on the bench when that happened and to be very honest, that's not a good look for the game, gee whiz," Parker told Sky Sports Radio's Big Sports Breakfast on Monday. "He [Taupau] is passionate and he's sort of their go-to guy off the bench but if you were a young kid looking in the stands watching that, I don't know what you're going to think."
The heated exchange came midway through the first half as an inspired New Zealand side steamrolled Tim Sheens' lacklustre Australians. The gesture was also replayed on the big screen which resulted in a roar of disapproval from the Brisbane crowd.
"I don't condone that [gesture] but he's certainly come a long way in 12 months," Parker said. "I think it would be fair to say 12 months ago you might not have known too much about Marty Taupau, but certainly you do now."
After the match Taupau was reluctant to speak about the incident and was downplaying his outburst, saying he and Thaiday had since moved on.
"It's probably best not to say anything," Taupau said. "Whatever happens on the field stays on the field. After that me and Sammy, we're good.
"We've spoken about it and it's all good, it's all gone."
However the incident did not go unnoticed on social media, as many fans debated whether the gesture overstepped the line in the heat of battle.
