The Wests Tigers’ spiralling season has copped another hit with veteran prop David Klemmer facing a four-match ban for an ugly hip-drop tackle.
Klemmer was put on report, but not sin-binned for the tackle on Cowboys forward Kulikefu Finefuiaki but Maroons centre Valentine Holmes was banished for 10 minutes for an incident earlier in the Friday night clash at QCB Stadium.
Holmes has been charged with grade-one dangerous contact because his tackle on Isaiah Papali’i was partially a result of contact from fellow defender Tom Dearden.
He can cop a fine of $1800 and be free for Queensland selection when Billy Slater announces his squad on Monday for the June 5 Origin opener.
Klemmer was charged with a grade-two offence and due to his poor judiciary record, he will face a three-game ban if he enters an early guilty plea.
Holmes’s relief comes after Cowboys coach Todd Payten launched an impassioned defence of his star centre after North Queensland’s 42-28 win over Wests Tigers.
“We lose (a player) for 10 minutes and that inconsistency annoys the crap out of me and the players, members and fans,” Payten said.
“Every time it goes into a bunker situation, I get really nervous. I am sure the players feel the same. The sin-binning changes the complex of the game and it becomes so hard to wrestle back momentum.
David Klemmer. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
“With all the camera angles they can’t be getting that wrong, amongst other calls. It is so frustrating.
Holmes’s tackle was reviewed by the bunker. “It wasn’t a hip-drop from the start so I am gob-smacked by the bunker in that situation,” Payten said.
“I don’t know what a rugby league player is supposed to do when they are going for a try and a defender lunges at their legs.
“He is going to land on their legs. I have no doubt where he is going to land, but it is not a hip-drop.”
Holmes has scored 13 tries in 16 appearances for the Maroons and is tipped to be one of the first picked.
With Reece Walsh to play fullback and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow at centre, Slater must decide between Selwyn Cobbo, Murray Taulagi and Xavier Coates for his two wingers.
with AAP
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