Broncos star Annetta-Claudia Nu’uausala is going through a 4 match ban after she escaped fortunate to solely be binned for an unsightly brawl late of their NRLW season-opening loss to the Eels.
Three gamers have been cited for his or her function within the incident on the cost sheet, with the Broncos set to be with out their prop for half the season – given Nu’uausala accepts the early plea deal. If the Broncos decide to problem the choice, Nu’uausala might face six weeks on the sidelines.
Kennedy Cherrington and Tazmin Rapana have been charged with grade one opposite conduct and are going through a one-game ban, though each are eligible to go for a financial penalty of $400.
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The melee was sparked by a head-high contact and hip drop sort out by Nu’uausala on Rueben Cherrington who was left laying on the turf.
Cherrington’s sister Kennedy then rushed in and pushed the Broncos entrance rower out of the ruck, which triggered tempers to flare.
“She’s pushed her,” Ruan Sims mentioned on 9.
A video replay confirmed Nu’uausala laid a punch on the Eels lock earlier than participating in some extra push and shove, earlier than teammates got here to separate the pair.
“She is perhaps spending a while on the road,” Sims mentioned.
“She’s let one rip proper on the chin of Kennedy Cherrington. Gamers got here operating in from all over the place after that,” Drury Forbes referred to as.
The incident spilled all through each groups with Abbi Church’s try to settle the dispute ensuing within the Eels star turning into the subsequent prime goal for Nu’uausala.
Match officers acted shortly with Cherrington instantly given her marching orders for her involvement.
In a choice which left 9’s commentary staff shocked, Nu’uausala escaped a sin bin and was solely positioned on report for the hip drop sort out, with no point out on the punch made in the course of the on area choice.
“She’s despatched not for the punch however for the hip drop?” Phil Gould requested.
“There’s excessive contact with the top after which there’s a response off the again of it,” replied Sims.
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“The referee is clearly making an attempt to take some warmth out of the sport there, however I assumed it was Brianna Clark with the excessive contact.”
Earlier, the Eels proved they’re able to turnaround their wood spoon season as they responded to an early attempt by Julia Robinson with back-to-back four-pointers.
Robinson’s efforts noticed the Broncos grow to be the primary NRLW staff to attain 150 tries.
Monique Donovan was subsequent over for the guests earlier than Kennedy Cherrington discovered the road within the 59th minute.