Queensland gun Jeremiah Nanai free for Origin II selection after avoiding ban for crusher tackle
Updated . First published
Gun Queensland Maroons back-rower Jeremiah Nanai will be available for selection for State of Origin II after avoiding being suspended for a crusher tackle in the Cowboys' nervy win over Wests Tigers on Saturday night.
Nanai was placed on report during the first half of the Townsville clash for performing a crusher tackle on Tigers playmaker Heath Mason.
But on Sunday morning, the NRL's match review committee offered the Cowboys star a $3000 fine.
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He will be suspended for two matches if he fights the charge at the judiciary and loses, yet even in that case he will have served his ban before game two of the Origin series.
The Cowboys scraped home with only a 32-28 win despite having led 32-6 with less than 20 minutes remaining.
Nanai's crusher tackle gave the victors cause for concern on the same day that Knights prop Leo Thompson had been suspended for four matches for performing a crusher tackle on Dragons lock Hamish Stewart.
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Jeremiah Nanai's crusher tackle on Heath Mason. Fox League
After the Bulldogs' match against the Titans in round nine, back-rower Jacob Preston was slapped with a four-game ban for performing a crusher tackle on Gold Coast captain Tino Fa'asuamaleaui.
Preston was offered a three-match ban but fought the charge at the judiciary and lost, which extended his suspension to four games.
Queensland must win Origin II in Perth on June 18 to keep alive its hopes of snatching back the shield.
The Blues defeated the Maroons 18-6 at Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday night to take a 1-0 series lead.
NSW legend Andrew Johns believes Queensland should make five changes for game two, with the rugby league Immortal even calling for captain and champion halfback Daly Cherry-Evans to make way for young playmaker Tom Dearden.
