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Security guards at Leichhardt Oval were forced to leap into action to prevent a heated post-match exchanged from boiling over even further.
Just as his on-field interview ended, Newcastle Knights halfback Jackson Hastings was confronted by a number of angry Wests Tigers players over an incident which happened during the game.
Thankfully, it was defused.
During a sequence of play which lead to the Tigers' opening try, Hastings attempted to make a tackle on his Tommy Talau, but in doing so went way too high and made contact with his ex-teammate's face.
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Hastings was subsequently placed on report and Talau was taken from the field with a HIA – the Tigers later confirming that he had broken his nose.
"I was trying to stop a try, there was no malice in it. He came at me obviously and he was well within his rights," Hastings told Fox Sports at full-time.
"I'm really sorry for Tommy, I'll say sorry to him after this. It was a pure accident."
Following the interview, the Knights star turned away from the camera and made a beeline for Talau in an attempt to apologise and clear the air.
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But the young Tigers centre was having none of it, pushing Hastings in the chest before grabbing him by the jersey.
A security guard quickly intervened and separated the two as Tigers recruit David Klemmer gave Hastings a few verbals while he was being pulled away.
Hastings spoke further about the incident.
“I just tried to do the right thing at the end of the game by going up to say sorry, in the heat of the battle he was still angry, which I fully appreciate,” he said, per The Sydney Morning Herald.
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“No one wants to get hit in the head and they ruled him out for the game too, so I am remorseful, there was no intent. I can see why he would be frustrated.
“I had no issue with Tommy’s reaction. I would be pretty filthy myself.”
Featured Image Credit: Twitter/FOXNRLTopics: Rugby League, NRL, Australia
