Wests Tigers captain and Fiji sports icon Api Koroisau will not participate in the upcoming Pacific Championships after receiving a three-match suspension for a Dangerous Throw during his team’s defeat against the Eels.
Koroisau’s tackle on Clint Gutherson in the 52nd minute at Campbelltown Sports Stadium was classified as a Grade 2 offense, and as this was his second violation, it resulted in a three-game suspension with the possibility of an early guilty plea.
The Fijian team will 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 face the third-placed team from the Pacific Cup in a promotion-relegation match on Sunday, November 10, at CommBank Stadium, determining entry for next year’s tournament.
In a related development, retiring Dolphins captain Jesse Bromwich has been handed a one-match suspension for a Dangerous Contact incident in his last NRL match. Bromwich’s tackle on Kalyn Ponga in the 68th minute was assessed as Grade 2, resulting in a suspension with an early guilty plea.
Sharks back-rower Teig Wilton accepted an early guilty plea for a Dangerous Contact charge and will face a $1,000 fine. Bulldogs forward Viliame Kikau was fined $3,000 for his Dangerous Contact hit on Cowboys halfback Jake Clifford during the 13th minute of Saturday’s game. If Kikau had contested the charge and been found guilty, he would have faced a two-game suspension.
Gold Coast veteran Kieran Foran was charged with two Careless High Tackle offenses in his match against the Panthers, both of which could lead to $750 fines with an early guilty plea.
Canberra’s Hudson Young (Careless High Tackle) and Dragons’ Jack de Belin (Dangerous Contact) received fines of $1,800 after accepting early guilty pleas. Additionally, Roosters players Angus Crichton (Dangerous Contact) and Siua Wong (Careless High Tackle) have also accepted fines following early pleas.
In contrast, Melbourne forward Eliesa Katoa will not face suspension after a tackle on Tristan Sailor resulted in a sin binning during Thursday’s victory over the Broncos.