League: Wiki faces ban for high tackle

New Zealand Warriors new recruit Ruben Wiki faces a stint on the National Rugby League (NRL) sidelines just two matches into his homecoming season - and the possibility of missing next month's Anzac Test.

The veteran Kiwis forward was today charged with a grade three careless high tackle after an incident late in his new side's 24-12 upset win over the Brisbane Broncos on Saturday night.

Wiki was placed on report by English referee Russell Smith for a 72nd minute hit on Broncos lock David Stagg and the NRL judiciary today charged him after viewing footage of the incident.

Given his blemished record, Wiki will cop a three-match ban should he lodge an early guilty plea ahead of Wednesday's hearing.

If the club contests the charge and loses, Wiki will miss five games -- a risk the Warriors may be unwilling to take, given it includes the trans-Tasman test clash at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium.

Missing three games will rule Wiki out of Sunday's home clash against North Queensland, South Sydney's visit to Ericsson Stadium and the West Tigers "home" match at Christchurch's Jade Stadium on April 9.

He risks missing matches against the Knights in Newcastle and the test match on April 22.

Meanwhile, Manly centre John Hopoate will predictably have to front the judiciary after being charged with striking following his tackle which floored Cronulla teenager Keith Galloway yesterday.

Hopoate's case was deemed serious enough to be referred straight to the judiciary for a hearing with no opportunity for an early plea.

The 104kg former test centre has a poor record at the judiciary and his career hangs by a thread following his latest misdemeanour.

Galloway said today he had accepted an apology from Hopoate over the incident which left him heavily concussed.

Hopoate was sent off after rushing off the defensive line and hitting Galloway in the head with his forearm in a leaping tackle.

"He's apologised and I've accepted his apology," said Galloway, who added he was feeling "a bit groggy".

The incident occurred in the 30th minute of the Sea Eagles' 46-20 win over the Sharks in the NRL match at Brookvale Oval.

Three St George Illawarra players have been charged after their heavy loss to Melbourne at the weekend.

Centre Albert Torrens is charged with a grade two careless high tackle, hooker Michael Ennis was charged with a grade one careless high tackle and prop Ashton Sims with grade one contrary conduct.

Melbourne's New Zealand-born forward Alex Chan is on a grade two striking charge from the same match.

Cronulla's Greg Bird faces a grade one dangerous throw charge as does Parramatta's Mark Riddell.

A Warriors spokesman said the club was reviewing the tackle and would decide tomorrow whether to plead guilty or contest the charge.


- NZPA