NSW are facing a crisis at hooker for State of Origin III with Michael Ennis hit with a grade-one careless high-tackle charge for his shot on North Queensland prop Matt Scott.
Ennis was widely tipped to be the back-up to Robbie Farah who is undergoing scans to the fractured hand he suffered in the Wests Tigers’ NRL loss on Sunday to Penrith.
Ennis can’t escape a ban with an early guilty plea (67 points) because his 38 carry-over points mean if he pleads guilty, he gets one week.
Fighting the charge and losing would also end up with him missing one week of action.
The discussion around Farah’s availability centres around where the fracture of his hand is and if he can actually play through the injury.
“(Farah) came off when he did when he got to the point when he just couldn’t go any further but he said he was pretty much a passenger for most of the second half so that was disappointing for us,” Tigers coach Jason Taylor said on Sunday.
Asked whether he was in doubt for the deciding Origin clash in Brisbane on July 8, Taylor said: “I’m not sure. It depends where that fracture is.
“He left straight away. He’s obviously very keen to know the outcome. He didn’t have a shower, he just wanted to get down there and get the x-ray.”
Joining Ennis as those who face a week on the sidelines is St George Illawarra forward Will Matthews.
The Dragons back-rower was hit with a grade one dangerous throw on Eels forward Anthony Watmough in the second half of Saturday’s clash and will miss this weekend’s match against North Queensland unless he fights the charge.
Wests Tigers halfback Luke Brooks has been slapped with a contrary conduct charge by the NRL match review committee following his headbutt of Penrith prop Jeremy Latimore on Sunday.
The rising star has copped a grade one charge but will be free to take on Parramatta next Monday should he take the early guilty plea.
Warriors prop Charlie Gubb (dangerous contact – head/neck), Sharks prop Matt Prior (dangerous contact – head/neck) and Tigers centre Delouise Hoeter (dangerous contact – other) were the other players charged but will be available for the next game if they take the early guilty plea.
KillaKanga
Roar Rookie
Just yanking your chain Jay ;-) It doesnt really matter who plays rake , I just hope the game lives up to the hype.
Jay C
Roar Guru
I was under the impression the rule was changed after the absolute outcry from NSW 12 years ago when QLD did it. There was an agreement made between gentlemen. Well between 1 gentlemen and 1 New South Welshman. The amount of stick QLD has taken for it over the last 12 years, it is extremely hypocritical to then do the same thing and claim it is within the rules so it is fine. Like I said. I don't care. Let Ennis play. He has failed before and he will fail again. Especially with 0 preparation.
KillaKanga
Roar Rookie
Jay instead of typing in caps the fallacy of "YOU GUYS CHANGED THE RULES. " how about you actually investigate the facts and educate yourself. The rule has NEVER been changed ! BTW Tuqiri , Tuqiri , Tuqiri , Tuqiri , Tuqiri , Tuqiri , Tuqiri , Tuqiri , Tuqiri , Tuqiri , Tuqiri , Tuqiri , Tuqiri , Tuqiri , Tuqiri , Tuqiri ;-)
Garry Nicho
Guest
why bother. Ryan Hinchcliffe is my pick even if Farah was fit!
pete bloor
Guest
I think he gets to just over 100 points with a grade 1 so needs to beat the charge all together
Jara W
Guest
A player can't be suspended from an origin game per se. But they miss origin as they are waiting to serve the suspension at club level. So in reality a one match suspension (if they were a certainty of origin selection) costs them two games.
Jay C
Roar Guru
I just watched a replay of the incident and in all reality it could very well get downgraded. I don't know what the criteria is for citing but you see 10 of these a game. It wasn't a swinging arm, didn't look intentional, no closed fist, so I don't know. A bit of a funny one.
Brett
Guest
If Ennis is allowed to play after next Monday, does that mean he'll only join the Blues camp the day prior to Game 3? Haha hope NSW do this now.
pete bloor
Guest
At first I thought well it's Ennis, surely no gentleman's agreement extends to him. but then if it covered Greg Bird, gee I feel a little bad for Ennis.
Jay C
Roar Guru
If it is then QLD deserves it. You don't make a gentleman's agreement with a cockroach. Nothing but rats and filth.
pete bloor
Guest
If you read the NRL rules on suspensions it certainly looks like you can do it. The suspension only applies to representative matches if you are selected in the squad, which he isn't as yet. All the reporting on it suggests it was a gentlemen's agreement to not do it again (and perhaps the difficulties with not being in camp but that's me being cynical).
Squidward
Roar Rookie
If definitely is if cronulla were a bye team this week. Then you miss out on 2 games for 1 like Bird did x2
Jay C
Roar Guru
It's not though. It's 1 or the other. I understand what they are saying. It's just wrong. If a player was suspended for 2 games could they not be selected for origin, then after the weekend they get selected for origin but that is their second game suspension so are free to play for their club the next week. I actually like whoever said about the points thing before. Origin and finals could be weighted at 150 points, grand final and International at 200.
Squidward
Roar Rookie
They mean the opportunity out of 2 games rather than 1. we don't mean you'll play in 2 games, but you'll miss 2 games, it's hard to get the correct wording
Don
Roar Rookie
Tinfoil hat NSW conspiracy component excluded, the above comment is right. Ennis should contest it - it shouldn't have been cited - and he will be exonerated and able to play. And I support QLD.
Casper
Guest
Don't see what all the fuss is about, he'll get downgraded like Josh Jackson and will be available anyway. Only have to look at the NSW mafia on the NRL judiciary to see the difference between grading and suspensions for players from Qld sides v Sydney club players over the years. Broncos have never got a break
Dogs Of War
Roar Guru
Thinking outside the square, maybe Origin and Test matches given there importance should be worth more points that a regular game. So an Origin game is worth 200 points, a Test 250 points. So you would have to perform a much worse act to be suspended for that sort of game. At least it allows small offenses like Ennis which only incurred a suspension due to carry over points to be free to play Origin, while a 4 week ban would still go punished.
Jay C
Roar Guru
How would they? No player is plastic 2 games this week. None. 0.
Jara W
Guest
I'm sure they had a change of hearts and wanted to get back to their roots.
Jara W
Guest
If Thurston, Gallen or Smith cop a week leading into Origin they would be missing two matches compared to the regular first graders one. Put it this way: If NSW name Ennis today and he fights the charge and loses, is he free to pay for the Sharks from then on? That's a genuine question. I'm getting confused here ;)