Greg Bird’s State of Origin hopes have taken a massive hit with the forward facing an eight week ban for a dangerous throw during Sunday’s 26-12 ANZAC Test loss to New Zealand.
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Bird’s lifting tackle on Jason Nightingale was judged to be a grade three dangerous throw by the NRL match review committee, according to NRL.com.
The 30-year-old’s poor record in the past two years has resulted in the heavy suspension.
If Bird is to take the early guilty plea he will suspended for six weeks and miss State of Origin I.
However if he chooses to fight the charge, the Titans star will risk missing the first two State of Origin games.
Bird missed the opening Origin match last season due to suspension and was charged with a dangerous throw on Queensland’s Nate Myles in the decider.
He wasn’t the only player to have garnered the attention of the match review committee during representative weekend, with Kangaroos teammate Sam Thaiday facing a week on the sidelines after being charged with making dangerous contact to the head and neck of Kiwi star Martin Taupau.
Tongan international Felise Kaufusi could miss two weeks for the Melbourne Storm after he was charged with dangerous contact on Samoa prop Josh McGuire.
Canterbury Bulldogs man Josh Reynolds also faces a two week ban for his attempted trip on Tariq Sims in the City v Country clash on Sunday.
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