Wests Tigers captain and Fijian star Api Koroisau has been suspended for three matches due to a Dangerous Throw during his team’s defeat to the Eels, which will prevent him from participating in the Pacific Championships.
Koroisau’s tackle on Clint Gutherson in the 52nd minute of the match at Campbelltown Sports Stadium was classified as a Grade 2 offence. This being his second violation led to the three-match ban, even with an early guilty plea.
The Fiji national team, known as the Bati, is set to begin their Pacific Bowl campaign against Papua New Guinea on Saturday, October 19, in Fiji, followed by a match against the Cook Islands the following week.
The winner of the Pacific Bowl will compete against the third-place team in the Pacific Cup on Sunday, November 10, at CommBank Stadium, in a match that will determine promotion or relegation for the subsequent tournament.
In other news, Dolphins’ retiring captain Jesse Bromwich has received a one-match suspension for a Dangerous Contact charge stemming from his final NRL match. Bromwich’s tackle on Kalyn Ponga in the 68th minute was also labeled as a Grade 2 offence, resulting in a one-game ban with an early guilty plea.
Sharks back-rower Teig Wilton accepted an early guilty plea for a Dangerous Contact charge and has been fined $1000. Bulldogs forward Viliame Kikau has been fined $3000 for a Dangerous Contact incident involving Cowboys halfback Jake Clifford; he would have faced a two-game ban had he contested the charge and lost.
Gold Coast veteran Kieran Foran was charged with two Careless High Tackle offences in the game against the Panthers, each carrying a $750 fine with an early guilty plea. Canberra’s Hudson Young and St. George Illawarra’s Jack de Belin were also fined $1800 after admitting to similar charges, while Roosters players Angus Crichton and Siua Wong have accepted fines for their respective offences.
Additionally, Melbourne forward Eliesa Katoa escaped suspension for a tackle on Tristan Sailor that had previously resulted in a sin-binning during Thursday’s victory over the Broncos.