NSW’s Anthony Watmough says there was no intent in an alleged lifting tackle on Nate Myles in the Blues’ 6-4 State of Origin II triumph on Wednesday that could rule the tough back-rower out of the final interstate game.
Watmough was put on report by referee Shayne Hayne for the 41st-minute tackle and, after the Blues wrapped up their first series victory in nine years, the 14-game Origin veteran was charged with a grade-two dangerous throw by the NRL match committee.
Due to carryover points, Watmough will sit out three weeks, including Origin II, if he takes the early guilty plea. He will miss four weeks if he fights the charge at the judiciary on Thursday night and is found guilty.
“He got straight up – there was no intent there,” Watmough said.
“I don’t know what to say. I don’t know what they will come out with. Hopefully it isn’t too bad.
“He wasn’t bad after it, he jumped straight up after it and said there was nothing in it.
“I got him in a little bit of a dangerous spot but hopefully it is not too bad.
“You don’t go in there in a tackle to try and put someone on their head. He stood up and his body weight went forward. It was just an unfortunate tackle at the time.”
Blues enforcer Greg Bird missed the Origin opener due to a round-nine lifting tackle on South Sydney’s Bryson Goodwin, while Josh Reynolds had a tackle on Brent Tate from Origin I downgraded from a grade-two dangerous throw to a grade one to take his place in the Blues’ side for Game II.
Blues coach Laurie Daley said he didn’t see the tackle, but hoped Watmough would be available for Game III.
NSW skipper Paul Gallen said he thought the grading was harsh.
“I didn’t think there was a lot going wrong with it,” Gallen said.
“At the last second, James Tamou pushed him down. I think Jimmy contributed to it.
“I think three weeks is a bit severe.”
Manly’s Watmough has until 12pm (AEST) on Thursday to elect to fight the charge, take the early guilty plea or seek a downgrade.
The Sea Eagles have three games before Origin III at Suncorp Stadium on July 9, but only two before the NSW team will be named, meaning – like Bird before Game I – Watmough will be ineligible for selection for the final interstate fixture if he cops a three-match ban.
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