NRL great Andrew Johns has publicly shamed Brisbane Broncos enforcer Adam Blair for producing "the cheapest shot there is" during their 30-0 loss against the Melbourne Storm on Friday night.
On two occasions, Johns ripped into Blair after the prop continuously hit Storm halfback Cooper Cronk.
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Johns labelled Blair a "coward" for one particular hit in the second half, where he hit Cronk in the back after the 33-year-old had already passed the ball.
"That's a cheap shot," Johns said after Cronk stayed down on the ground after the hit.
"It's as cheap as they come. You've got a bloke giving away 30kg. It's a big man on little man. He passes the ball and relaxes.
"You talk about player welfare and the duty of care to players in the game, and you've got little halfbacks going to the line and passing and you've got big front-rowers smashing them in the back when they're not looking.
"You can see the whiplash as he goes to the line. It's as cheap as they come. The game's tough enough without these creative smaller players having to wonder about getting smashed in the back."
Johns then unleashed on the New Zealand captain after the match had finished.
"It's a cowardly [act]," Johns said. "It's not needed. It's dirty play and they need to get rid of it out of the game.
"We had Johnathan Thurston earlier in the year on the Sunday Footy Show and he said the powers that be and the referees they need to look at this. He said he's sick and tired of passing the ball and not seeing the defender as they come and smash into his kidneys.
"You've got the greatest half in the game screaming out for the game to protect ball players.
"That's the cheapest shot in the game, when you hit a player behind when he's not looking.
"In years gone by, your halfback would be protected by your front-rowers and if any of that rubbish went on the punishment would be dealt out on the field, but unfortunately they can't do that now because they've sanitised the game and we're so worried that you can't throw punches, but now you can smash a guy in his back when he's not looking. Please. What's worse?"
According to numerous reports, Blair is expected to join the Warriors next season on a NZ$2.6m deal over four years.
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