Parramatta Eels second-rower Kelma Tuilagi is facing a significant suspension for a dangerous lifting tackle early in Saturday evening’s NRL game against the Sydney Roosters at CommBank Stadium.
In the fourth minute of the Round 15 match, Tuilagi flipped Roosters prop Lindsay Collins in a tackle, causing Collins to land on his neck and sparking a brief scuffle between players.
Tuilagi was sent to the sin bin for the tackle and was charged on Sunday with a grade three dangerous throw, resulting in a four-game suspension with an early plea, or five games if he contests the charge and loses.
Fortunately for the Roosters, Collins was unharmed and returned to his feet, but referee Chris Butler immediately put Tuilagi on report and sent him to the sin bin for the dangerous play.
“He lifts him up and takes him to ground with moderate force,” Butler was heard explaining to Eels captain Clint Gutherson. “There’s a risk of injury.”
Adding insult to injury, Roosters winger Sydney Roosters scored in the subsequent play, giving the visitors an early lead.
Additionally, Roosters players Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Naufahu Whyte were also scrutinized by the match review committee following Saturday’s game.
Waerea-Hargreaves received a grade one careless high tackle charge on Shaun Lane and faces only a fine, while Whyte was charged with grade one dangerous contact on Ryan Matterson and is also looking at a fine.
