Cowboys lock Reuben Cotter could miss the State of Origin series opener after he was charged with a careless high tackle in Magic Round.
The Maroons forward was pinged by the match review committee for a high shot on Warriors second-rower Marata Niukore during the Cowboys’ narrow loss on Saturday night.
Because it is his second offence, Cotter has been banned for two matches and risks a third game if he contests the charge at the judiciary.
The Cowboys have just two more games before the Origin opener in Brisbane on May 28 as they have the bye in the round before the game.
Cotter is all but certain to cop the two-game punishment, which will mean he will not play again, if picked by Queensland coach Billy Slater, between now and Origin I.
All eyes had been on how the NRL would police high tackles at Magic Round after 18 sin bins last weekend.
While the league’s match review committee and on-field referees were on the same page for the first four games of the weekend, Cotter was not sin-binned for his shot but has now received a grade-two careless high-tackle charge.
Cotter went on report for his high shot on Niukore ahead of the Warriors’ first try in their 30-26 win on Saturday night.
But the Cowboys co-captain was not penalised on-field, despite the shot looming as the most serious of the weekend so far.
Souths prop Tevita Tatola ($1000-$1500) was also charged for a high tackle in his team’s loss to Newcastle.
Sharks five-eighth Braydon Trindall ($1000-$1500 for dangerous contact), Roosters rake Zach Dockar-Clay ($750-$1000 for a high tackle) and Dolphins forward Kulikefu Finaefeuaki ($1000-$1500 for a high tackle) are also facing fines.
with AAP
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