Broncos livid at NRL double standards
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Justin Hodges copped a two-week ban for contrary conduct. (Getty Images: Jonathan Wood)
The Broncos say the NRL judiciary has sent a dangerous message to players after suspending Justin Hodges for two weeks last night.
Hodges has been banned for making an offensive gesture towards referee Tony Archer in Sunday's match against the Raiders.
Brisbane unsuccessfully argued Hodges' gesture was made at a team-mate who gave up a penalty.
Broncos CEO Bruno Cullen says far more blatant acts of dissent have gone unpunished in recent weeks.
"I think we've been very poorly done by compared to other actions by other players," Cullen said.
"Looks like the NRL are sending out a message that it's OK for players to assault referees, as in grabbing them, attacking them verbally and swearing at them."
"Because those are the sort of incidents which have been shown up which are worse than what Justin did on Sunday."
"There was a player two weeks ago who assaulted a referee and got off. Now what we are saying is how can that happen, against what Justin did?"
Cullen has now instructed Hodges to stay out of trouble for the remainder of the season.
The Test centre had only played two games since returning from a six-week suspension for a dangerous throw on Parramatta's Mark Riddell.
Cullen has urged Hodges to keep a low profile when he returns.
"We've got to let Justin know and we have, he's under the microscope at the moment and players have those periods in their careers when things start rolling against you," he said.
"Unless you try and address them very directly, they work against you. And in this particular case they have."
