The New Zealand Warriors last night failed in their bid to get utility forward Ukuma Ta'ai's two match suspension halved when he appeared before a National Rugby League (NRL) judicial hearing.
The Warriors had entered an early guilty plea after Ta'ai was slugged with a grade two striking charge for his hit on Newcastle wing James McManus during Saturday's NRL clash in Auckland, but attempted to have the severity of the charge downgraded so he could be available to play premiers St George Illawarra on Sunday week at Wollongong.
The three-man panel decided to uphold the suspension.
Ta'ai, who appeared via video link from Auckland, has been replaced by Elijah Taylor for Saturday's trip to the Penrith Panthers.
- NZPA
