Kangaroos forward Angus Crichton has successfully appealed his two-match ban incurred after Australia’s victory in the Rugby League World Cup final and will now miss only one game.
Crichton was sin-binned for knocking Toa Samoa hooker Chanel Harris-Tavita out with a raised forearm in the Kangaroos’ 30-10 win at Old Trafford on Sunday (AEDT).
The Sydney Roosters second-rower apologised to Harris-Tavita after the game, which was the former Warrior’s last before taking a year out from rugby league to pursue other interests.
Crichton was charged with Grade B Reckless Striking and faced a two-match ban, to be served at the beginning of the 2023 NRL season.
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But after successfully appealing his case at the judiciary, the 26-year-old accepted a downgraded Grade A charge.
He will miss only the Roosters’ first game of the year which is against newcomers the Dolphins at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday, 5 March.
John Neeson
Guest
Of course he’s from the Rorters
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
How typical! The judiciary grant favours to the Nick Politis chooks once again. That said, 1. IMO there was nothing in it, 2. If CHT didn't try to hit Crichton after the play was dead nothing would have happened. I think that second action "get off me" shove to the ground when CHT hit his head on the turf did more damage than the initial impact. I'm sure though that Crichton had no idea that CHT's lights were out and that he was in no position to break his fall. No doubt though if it was Latrell Mitchell Roosters fans would be howling for a 6-month suspension. Funny how their sense of justice differs depending on the jersey a player wears.
Short Memory
Roar Rookie
Agree LP. He put his arm up to ward off what would have been (if he hadn't turned around at the last second) a cheap shot in the back after the ball was dead. CHT dived headfirst into his elbow.
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
Yeah it seems odd 2 me, either it’s worth 2 weeks or none at all.
London Panther
Roar Rookie
I don’t think he deserves any time; he put his forearm up and there was a collision. I also don’t understand how he misses a NRL game; there are so many examples of trials accounting for bans (both before the season and before the WC) how does Chrichton not get the same benefit?
ja ja klazo
Guest
Tough one to decide on but I think 1 week is the right outcome. This is one of those where you slow it down to 10x slower it looks really bad but in real time it's very much Crichton acting in surprise (after the whistle has been blown). I thought 10 mins was about right, and I would say 1 week is also about right.
Nat
Roar Guru
I swear the MRC just tack on whatever size they want knowing they cannot defend it and getting it reduced is just seen to do something.