Joseph Suaalii faces nervous wait after being put on report in win over Warriors
Young gun Joseph Suaalii faces an anxious wait after being put on report in the Roosters' 20-12 win over the Warriors.
The 19-year-old found himself in hot water for a late hit on Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad.
It's not only Suaalii who could be missing when the Roosters play Souths on Friday, with new recruit Brandon Smith also in doubt after picking up a rib injury.
Smith suffered the injury in a tackle in the first half and did not return.
"Not good mate. I can't remember the last time I played a damn game and didn't come off injured," he told the ABC after the match.
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Coach Trent Robinson conceded he had no idea how many matches Smith might miss.
"I don't know, I'm not sure how long that (injury) takes," Robinson said after the match.
"They thought it was his rib, and they tried to numb that, but it ended up being muscular.
"When he went out to do some passing it was still hurting, so they told me he couldn't go back on.
"That's disappointing, second week (in a row)."
Joseph Suaalii has been put on report for a late tackle on Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad. Supplied
Meanwhile, Panthers great Greg Alexander said Suaalii "could be in some trouble" for his hit on Nicoll-Klokstad.
The Warriors fullback - who later failed a HIA after a head clash - had long released the ball, and Suaalii hit him blind from behind.
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"It's not on. You can't hit a man once he's let go of the ball and once he's relaxed and Joseph Suaalii hit him under the ribs, under the back," Alexander said on Fox League.
"We try and protect our playmakers from that from forwards when they drift across the field. Once they let go of the ball, you can't hit them.
"Suaalii put a shot on well after he'd passed the ball. There will be a charge for Joseph to answer."
Leading 18-6, the Warriors looked to mount a late charge when Addin Fonua-Blake crossed just after the hour mark.
From there, the Warriors enjoyed a dominant period of possession and should have crossed if not for basic errors.
A late penalty goal from Luke Walker sealed the win.
