.NZWarriors rookie Demitric Sifakula has avoided sanction for striking PenrithPanthers co-captain Nathan Cleary, who declared physical confrontations a part of the spectacle of rugby league after the Magic Round fracas. NRL 7NEWS
Things escalated when Sifakula, playing only his second NRL game, entered the fray and appeared to strike Cleary’s chin with an open palm.Referee Todd Smith sent Sifakula to the sin-bin for what he termed a ‘striking action’, putting a serious dent in the 12-man Warriors’ hopes of recovering from 14-6 down.
The match review committee opted not to charge Sifakula on Sunday morning and his Warriors teammate Jackson Ford has also escaped suspension for his hip-drop tackle on Spencer Leniu from earlier in the match.Ford found himself sin-binned for the shot, which did not injure Leniu and has since been categorised as grade-one dangerous contact. The second-rower can accept a $1000 fine.“Sometimes those things happen when two teams are wearing their hearts on their sleeve,” he said.
“That’s the way the game has gone. I think that’s what makes footy so great and such a great spectacle for the fans, when two teams are going hard at it like that.Warriors coach Andrew Webster questioned whether Sifakula had struck Cleary - a sin bin offence under the NRL rules - or just pushed him.“You could see Nathan’s face move but he was going to push him. And next thing he’s in the bin.
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