Aussie sent off for body-slam tackle

Former NRL player Ben Pomeroy was given his marching orders after he dangerously slammed a rival with a wrestling-inspired tackle in the Super League.

The one-time Panther and Shark, who had just returned from suspension, was playing with the Catalan Dragons when he zeroed in on Castleford winger Ashley Gibson late in the first half.

Grabbing Gibson around the waist, Pomeroy spun him around and then, possibly imitating his favourite WWE wrestler, flipped him over his head and into the ground with a crunching suplex tackle.

Trainers immediately rushed to Gibson's aid and, after receiving lengthy treatment, he was stretchered from the field in a neck brace.

Meanwhile, the referee had no hesitation in showing Pomeroy a red card, leaving the Dragons down a man for the rest of the game.

But despite his dismissal, Catalan dented Castleford's play-off hopes by recording a 44-26 victory.