NRL Judiciary Round 21: Valentine Holmes escapes suspension, Martin Taupau and Tariq Sims banned

Liam O'Loughlin

Kye Kuncoro

NRL Judiciary Round 21: Valentine Holmes escapes suspension, Martin Taupau and Tariq Sims banned image

Sharks prop Jesse Colquhoun is the latest player facing a ban after being charged by the NRL judiciary.

Valentine Holmes escaped suspension despite being sin-binned against the Eels on Saturday, while a Storm veteran is set to miss a fortnight for a high tackle.

Two Broncos will be spending some time on the sideline after being charged, whilst a Raider has escaped with a fine from Friday night's action.

Earlier in the round on Thursday, two players were charged in the wooden spoon-deciding clash between the Dragons and Tigers.

MORE: Mbye granted early release by Dragons to join UK club

Jesse Colquhoun faces ban, Nicho Hynes fined for trip

Young Cronulla Sharks prop Jesse Colquhoun is set for a spell on the sideline, charged with grade one dangerous contact for his hit on Taniela Paseka.

He will miss one match with an early guilty plea but could be banned for two games if he is found guilty by the panel.

Teammate and reigning Dally M Medal winner Nicho Hynes will need to pay a $1,000 fine for his trip on Tolutau Koula, assuming he enters an early guilty plea.

Meanwhile, Manly Sea Eagles enforcer Haumole Olakau'atu has been handed a $3,000 penalty for a shoulder charge. An unsuccessful challenge would see him miss two games, though.

MORE: NRL live ladder - Latest standings and results for 2023

Corey Waddell was the only player charged in the earlier Sunday match between the Penrith Panthers and Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs.

The forward will be fined $3,000 for dangerous contact with an early guilty plea, or face a two-match ban if he unsuccessfully challenges.

All four players will have until 12pm on Tuesday July 25 to enter their pleas to their respective charges. 

Storm forward Tariq Sims banned for two games

Experienced forward Tariq Sims will miss the next two games after being charged for a high tackle on Jackson Hastings during Melbourne's loss to Newcastle on Saturday night. 

The 33-year-old was sin-binned for the incident and has since been hit with a grade two careless high tackle charge, which will see Sims miss two weeks with an early guilty plea. 

The former NSW Origin enforcer has also been cited for a shoulder charge and will be fined $3000 with an early guilty plea. 

Meanwhile, Harry Grant (grade one dangerous contact) and Adam Elliott (grade one dangerous contact) have escaped with fines for indiscretions during the clash at McDonald Jones Stadium. 

Martin Taupau and Jesse Arthars suspended

Broncos prop Martin Taupau will miss three matches with an early plea after raising his knee whilst running into Campbell Graham on a kick return.

Taupau was cautioned by the NRL during the week for this dangerous action but failed to remove it from his game resulting in a sin-bin after collecting Graham dangerously.

"He got a warning through the week, so he was well aware of it," Broncos coach Kevin Walters said.

"We've got to get that out of his game, that's for sure."

Arthars collected opposition fullback Blake Taafe high with a shoulder resulting in the fullback leaking with blood. Arthars would be sent to the bin for the careless contact and will now miss one match. 

Valentine Holmes escapes suspension for controversial high tackle

Cowboys centre Valentine Holmes has avoided a suspension for a controversial high tackle, despite being sin-binned during Saturday night's victory over Parramatta.

The 27-year-old was sent for 10 minutes after a huge collision with Mitchell Moses in the first half but will only be fined $1800 after being hit with a grade one careless high tackle charge.

Stemming from the same game, Ryan Matterson was charged with grade one dangerous contact and will be fined $3000 after an early guilty plea. 

Eels winger Waqa Blake was fined $1500 for a grade on shoulder charge on Peta Hiku. 

Corey Horsburgh fined for escalating scuffle

Coming out of nowhere, Horsbugh would barge into Warriors forward Josh Curran after he took offence to a tackle on his teammate.

Horsburgh would receive a penalty against him and will be subsequently fined $1,800. 

John Bateman, Matthew Feagai and Jack De Belin receive fines 

The Tigers edge-forward would receive his first dangerous contact charge with his 13th minute tackle on Talatau Amone. 

Matthew Feagai was charged for careless high contact on Jahream Bula after coming off his wing and performing a shot on the Tigers fullback.

Jack De Belin will receive his third charge for dangerous contact this season and has taken the early plea and $3000 fine. 

Liam O'Loughlin

Liam O'Loughlin Photo

Liam has been with The Sporting News since 2019, helping lead both NRL and cricket content, as well as delving into the world of combat sports and NFL. A true rugby league tragic, he has spent the past 20 years playing, coaching and volunteering for his beloved junior club, Penshurst RSL. 

Away from work, Liam has a lifelong passion for all things pro wrestling and has travelled abroad to attend showcase events for WWE, AEW and NJPW. 

 

Kye Kuncoro

Kye Kuncoro Photo

Kye is a content producer for Sporting News Australia.