NSW and Gold Coast enforcer Greg Bird is set to miss most of NSW’s State of Origin campaign for an ugly tip tackle on New Zealand’s Jason Nightingale in the Anzac Test over the weekend.
The veteran forward faces up to eight matches on the sidelines after being hit with a grade two dangerous throw charge by the match review committee on Monday.
Due to three similar offences in the past two years and loading, the offence carries with it a six-week ban if Bird takes the early guilty plea.
Bird missed Origin I last year for a similar offence. He was also charged for a spear tackle on Queensland’s Nate Myles in Origin III in 2014.
If he decides to fight the charge at the judiciary and loses, he will be suspended for eight games.
Bird lifted Nightingale’s legs as the Kiwis winger was upended in a 74th minute tackle during the Kangaroos’ 26-12 loss at Suncorp Stadium.
A six-week suspension will rub Bird out of the opening Origin game in Sydney on May 27 and the Titans’ round nine, 10, 12, 13 and 14 fixtures, with the club enjoying a bye week in round 11.
That would make Bird eligible for Origin II in Melbourne on June 17.
But an eight-week suspension would also rule Bird out of Origin II in Melbourne on June 17 and the Titans’ round 15 match with the Warriors, making him eligible for Origin III in Brisbane on July 8.
Josh Reynolds’ hopes of retaining his NSW jersey have also suffered a blow, with the Blues incumbent five-eighth facing a one-game ban for tripping.
City playmaker Reynolds was hit with a grade one tripping charge for his ugly effort on Country forward Tariq Sims at Wagga Wagga on Sunday.
Due to loading and carry over points, the offence carries a one-match ban if Reynolds takes the early guilty plea.
That will rule him out of Canterbury’s visit to Townsville on Saturday to face North Queensland, leaving him just one more game to impress Blues coach Laurie Daley before he chooses his side on May 19 for game one.
If he fights the ban and loses, Reynolds will be outed for two games.
Kangaroos back-rower Sam Thaiday is also set for a week’s holiday for his crusher tackle on Kiwis forward Martin Taupau.
The Brisbane star was handed a grade one dangerous contact head/neck charge and will earn a week’s ban with the early guilty plea. The same penalty applies if he fights the charge and loses.
In other charges from the representative weekend, Melbourne’s Tongan forward Felise Kaufusi also faces a week ban for a grade one dangerous contact charge for a tackle on Samoa’s Josh McGuire in Saturday’s clash on the Gold Coast.
With AAP
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