Rugby League

Vunivalu charged for hit on Sami

July 22, 2019 4:15 pm

Suliasi Vunivalu [Source: 7news.com.au]

Fiji born Melbourne Storm winger Suliasi Vunivalu has been offered a one-match ban for dangerous contact on Philip Sami.

The incident happened during the Storms match against the Titans last weekend.

The Fijian flyer tackled Phillip Sami in the air as the Titan attempted to defuse a bomb in the 41st minute of the Storm’s 38-18 win at Cbus Super Stadium.

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With 50 per cent loading for a prior similar offence, Vunivalu will miss Saturday’s clash with Manly with or without an early guilty plea and will only be free to play if he challenges the charge and wins.

Titans back Brenko Lee – for a tackle on Vunivalu – and the Storm’s Joe Stimson were also hit with grade one dangerous contact charges from the round 18 clash.

Both, however, can avoid a ban with early guilty pleas.

Penrith’s Viliame Kikau will head to the judiciary on Tuesday night in a bid to avoid a one-game ban for a shoulder charge.

Kikau is risking a two-game ban by challenging his sanction after he was cited for a challenge on St George Illawarra half Darren Nicholls during the Panthers’ 40-18 win.