Felise Kaufusi’s decision to fight a grade one tripping charge has paid dividends after the Melbourne Storm and Queensland Maroons enforcer was found not guilty at the NRL judiciary on Tuesday night.
The veteran of nine Origins was facing a one-match ban for his attempted trip on Brisbane Broncos hooker Jake Turpin on Thursday night.
Kaufusi was on the ground after making a tackle and made contact with Turpin with his outstretched leg in the 74th minute.
The 29-year-old was unable to take the early guilty plea due to two non-similar offences on his record, including his controversial head slam on Parramatta’s Ryan Matterson that cost him a three-match suspension earlier this season.
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Kaufusi would have missed Game 1 against the NSW Blues in Townsville and had 40 carryover points added to his record if found guilty.
He, argued the contact with Turpin, who did not fall over, was accidental.
The three-man panel of Sean Garlick, Tony Puletua and Dallas Johnson agreed, clearing the Maroons enforcer to play in a boost for Paul Green’s Maroons.
Ex-Queensland five-eighth Ben Ikin told Fox League’s NRL 360 he was ‘flabbergasted’ by the Kaufusi call.
The decision follows NSW Blues lock Cameron Murray surprising let off after the NRL match review committee opted not to charge the South Sydney star for what his club coach Wayne Bennett labelled an ‘obvious crusher’ tackle against Parramatta.
Blues back-rowers Angus Crichton and Victor Radley were not so fortunate last week, with the Sydney Roosters duo rubbed out for two and five weeks respectively at the NRL judiciary.
Kaufusi’s let-off led to suggestions of inconsistency from fans, presumably of the Blues persuasion, on social media.
If the judiciary can suspend Angus Crichton for a nothing shot then they can damn sure suspend Felise Kaufusi for an attempted trip which is clear as bloody day #NRL360
— Jordan (@jordannoon) June 1, 2021
Felise Kaufusi not guilty... ya joking? If it was a Storm game I bet he gets one game #NRL360
— Jordan (@jordannoon) June 1, 2021
I seriously reckon that Felise Kaufusi could get away with shivving an opponent in a tackle. https://t.co/n3V7cMN0el
— Tim Gore (@GorskiOPork) June 1, 2021
In the other case on Tuesday night, Luciano Leilua was also found not guilty of a grade one shoulder charge on St George Illawarra prop Blake Lawrie.
Leilua will be free to play for the Tigers in Friday's Round 13 clash against the Penrith Panthers.
