Paul Deacon needed extensive treatment in the dressing room

A furious Caisley said most people who saw the incident on video would feel the punishment was "fairly pathetic".

"Perhaps those that sat in judgment ought to have paid a visit to Paul and seen the screws in his mouth that are holding his face together," he said.

Vagana's high tackle fractured Deacon's nose, cheekbone and palate.

Caisley also felt the decision to suspend Vagana for just one game was inconsistent with earlier disciplinary rulings.

Newton has ban increased

"I think most people who have seen it on the video could not quite understand the punishment when you consider that Terry Newton was recently banned for the equivalent of 16 matches," the Bulls chairman told Radio Five Live.

Newton was handed the hefty suspension for dangerous tackles on Sean Long and Lee Gilmour in a Super League match at the start of September.

Long needed two metal plates in his face and was told it may take a year to regain full feeling in his face after being caught by Newton.

Vagana's right arm catches Deacon midway through the first half

St Helens team-mate Gilmour was more fortunate, avoiding serious injury.

As for Deacon, he will miss the rest of the Tri-Nations and is a major doubt for the start of next season.

But Caisley is optimistic the 26-year-old half-back will make a full recovery.

"He is a pretty tough and durable competitor," said Caisley. "The sad thing about it is that I had never ever seen him play quite as well as he was playing at the relevant time for Great Britain.

"I think that will spur Paul on and I'm sure he will want to be back as soon as possible.

"It's a pity for him because it has ruined his tournament quite apart from the very, very serious injuries he has sustained.

"The irony of it is that now, because of what some might deem a fairly pathetic ban, the player responsible for inflicting those injuries will be available to play in the final."

Most times he would have got a bust nose but he hit him in the wrong spot Stuart Fielden

However, Vagana, who will sit out New Zealand's weekend's game with France, has received some support in the wake of his ban.

Ironically, Bradford prop Stuart Fielden says the damage to Deacon's face was out of proportion to what was a run-of-the-mill tackle.

"I have seen a lot of those in Super League and I have taken a lot of them myself," said the Lions forward.

"Most times he would have got a bust nose but he hit him in the wrong spot. His head was a bit like a balloon in the changing room.

"Obviously our hopes and thoughts are with Deacs. I think he is coming into camp later this week. He is still part of the family and what we call Team GB."

Britain beat New Zealand 38-12 at the Galpharm Stadium to keep alive their hopes of reaching the final.

Deacon on mend after surgery

The Lions must now beat Australia by at least three points in Hull on Saturday to make the Elland Road showpiece on 26 November.

Meanwhile, Kiwis coach Brian McClennan said his side were also left counting the cost of Saturday's bruising encounter against Britain.

As a result, he would have to delay naming his side for Friday's game against France in Toulouse.

"We've got a number of players who took knocks in the Test against Great Britain, so we'll have to see how they progress over the next couple of days," he said.

"It's a quick turn-around and we've got a fair way to travel to get to Toulouse which adds an extra bit to the puzzle. But our medical team is very skilled."