Criticism mounts for Eels winger Maika Sivo after costly sin binning

Eels winger Maika Sivo is facing heavy criticism for his costly actions during Parramatta’s recent loss to the Sea Eagles. With the Eels trailing 20-18 and just over ten minutes remaining, Sivo was sin-binned for delivering an unnecessary elbow to the head of Manly’s Reuben Garrick. This left Parramatta with only 12 players on the field, allowing the Sea Eagles to score two tries and secure a 32-18 victory.

The incident has sparked outrage among fans and pundits, with Daily Telegraph’s Phil Rothfield labeling Sivo’s actions as “ridiculous” and “dumb.” Rothfield suggested that Sivo should face a lengthy period on the sidelines as punishment for his costly mistake.

Eels coach Brad Arthur and captain Clint Gutherson expressed their frustration with Sivo’s actions in the post-match press conference, with Gutherson describing it as “stupid.” Despite Sivo scoring three tries in the game, his brain fade ultimately cost the Eels a crucial victory.

The criticism of Sivo’s behavior has only intensified as Parramatta’s season continues to falter, with the team now sitting in 14th place on the NRL table with a 3-5 record. The pressure is mounting on Arthur as the Eels struggle to find consistency and secure much-needed wins.

Sivo has since escaped with a fine from the match review committee for his elbow on Garrick, but the repercussions of his actions are likely to linger as Parramatta looks to turn their season around. The winger’s costly mistake serves as a stark reminder of the impact that individual errors can have on a team’s performance and overall success in the NRL.