Kalyn Ponga has escaped suspension for his grand final high shot on Victor Radley, with the Knights captain charged with a Grade 1 careless high tackle that carries only a fine.
The NRL Match Review Committee charged Ponga on Monday 5 October over the tackle in the 25th minute of Sunday night’s decider, which the Roosters won 19-18, NRL.com confirmed.
If Ponga takes the early guilty plea he will be fined $1000. That rises to $1500 if he fights the charge and is found guilty at the judiciary, according to NRL.com.
No sin bin on the night
Ponga was penalised and placed on report for the shoulder that hit Radley in the head, but referee Adam Gee allowed him to stay on the field. Roosters captain James Tedesco protested at the time.
“That’s a shoulder with force to the head,” Tedesco said, as reported by Nine.
The decision proved costly for the Roosters in the short term. Nine reported Ponga forced a try-saving play on Mark Nawaqanitawase a minute later, then swooped on a loose ball and raced 90 metres to score less than five minutes after the incident. Newcastle led 12-6 at half-time before the Roosters edged home.
Debate continues
Speaking on SEN radio on Monday, journalist Michael Carayannis questioned whether the outcome would have been the same in reverse, Yahoo Sports Australia reported.
“If it was Victor Radley on Kalyn Ponga, I think we would have seen a different outcome,” Carayannis said. “I thought it was a sin bin.”
World Cup boost for the Kiwis
The fine-only charge means Ponga, who Yahoo Sports Australia reported is expected to be New Zealand’s fullback, has no ban hanging over him heading into the Rugby League World Cup.
The Kiwis have already lost his Knights teammate Phoenix Crossland, who was banned for four matches for his preliminary final tackle on Nathan Cleary. Yahoo Sports Australia reported three of those matches will be served during the World Cup. New Zealand also gained Dane Gagai, who was cleared to switch to the Kiwis last week.
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