NRL: Six-week bans for young Warriors

SYDNEY - New Zealand Warriors under-20 players John Palavi and Sebastine Ikahihifo have been suspended from the Toyota Cup rugby league competition for six weeks after pleading guilty to a dangerous tackle on a Manly opponent.

The pair today entered an early guilty plea rather than fight the charge and face a nine-week ban if found guilty by the National Rugby League (NRL) judiciary.

The forwards teamed up to slam Manly's Birrigan Young head first into the turf in Auckland on Sunday, a tackle that left the 19-year-old prop with a badly dislocated shoulder and unlikely to play again this season.

Palavi and Ikahihifo were both charged with a grade five dangerous throw, the harshest penalty available to match reviewers other than for cases that are referred directly to the judiciary.

Manly's Toyota Cup coach David Penna described the spear tackle as among the worst he had seen during a 30-year association with the code.

"It was head first and pretty ugly," Penna said.

Warriors assistant coach and last year's Toyota Cup coach Tony Iro believed there was no malice involved but the players "knew the full repercussions of these tackles".

Manly chief executive Graham Lowe defended the duo, saying he did not think Young's injury was intentional.

"It looked horrifying but I think the two Warriors players' inexperience showed through."

Palavi and Ikahihifo will next be available for the Warriors round 12 match against the Wests Tigers next month.

- NZPA