NRL Judiciary Round 17: Tuilagi set for crusher ban, Mason suspended over ref shove, Nikora charged

Mark Molyneux

NRL Judiciary Round 17: Tuilagi set for crusher ban, Mason suspended over ref shove, Nikora charged image

Eels enforcer Kelma Tuilagi is facing some time on the sidelines for a crusher tackle on Jack de Belin.

Elsewhere, Wests Tigers look set to lose another member from their already depleted backline after Heath Mason was charged over an incident with a match official.

Sharks forward Briton Nikora has copped a double fine after his side's defeat to Melbourne.

Brian To'o, meanwhile, avoided a charge from the Match Review Committee after the Penrith star was put on report for a high tackle in the opening game of Round 17. 

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The Sporting News provides all the latest NRL Judiciary news below. 

Briton Nikora cops double fine

Nikora has earned two separate charges following the Sharks' defeat to the Storm on Sunday.

The forward has been cited for a pair of dangerous contact incidents against Cameron Munster and Shawn Blore, respectively.

With early guilty pleas, he will pay a fine of $1,800 per charge.

Kelma Tuilagi faces crusher tackle ban

Tuilagi is set for a sideline spell after a 79th-minute crusher tackle on de Belin.

The Eels second-rower copped a grade two charge, meaning he will be banned for three matches with an early guilty plea.

He risks a four-game suspension if he challenges unsuccessfully.

Heath Mason suspended over ref shove

Wests Tigers fullback Mason is facing a one-match ban after he was charged with grade two contrary conduct for an incident which saw referee Gerard Sutton end up on the 4 Pines Park turf on Friday night.

Mason was shifting across behind the Tigers' defensive line in an attempt to field a Manly grubber when he ran into Sutton.

Replays appeared to show the contact was completely accidental but the Judiciary has seen otherwise.

Mason will miss a week with an early guilty plea or risk a two-match ban if he fights the charge and loses.

Brian To'o free to play Origin decider after avoiding charge 

To'o was adjudged to have collected Xerri high when he attempted to shut down his run in a frantic final few minutes of Thursday night's clash. 

The winger rushed in and jammed the centre which caused the ball to fly out of Xerri's grasp and go over the sidelines. 

Referee Grant Atkins initially ruled that it had been touched by To'o and handed the Bulldogs the scrum. Nathan Cleary then responded with a captain's challenge to dispute the call. 

However, the Bunker intervened before Penrith could challenge and penalised To'o for a high tackle. Atkins subsequently awarded a penalty and put the New South Wales flyer on report. 

After the match, To'o said he wasn't worried about the outcome of the hit.

"I asked him if he was alright, he said he was sweet," To'o said. "But I had to check on Brons (Xerri) and see if he was all right."

To'o has since been cleared of any wrongdoing by the MRC and will be free to play in the State of Origin decider for the Blues on Wednesday, July 9. 

Full Round 17 NRL Judiciary charge list, results

PlayerTeamChargeOpponentEarly pleaGuilty at panel
Briton NikoraSharksDangerous Contact (Grade 1)Cameron Munster$1,800$2,500
Briton NikoraSharksDangerous Contact (Grade 1)Shawn Blore$1,800$2,500
Brian KellyTitansDangerous Throw (Grade 1)Kai O'Donnell$1,000$1,500
Jack WilliamsEelsHigh Tackle - Careless (Grade 1)Emre Guler$1,000$1,500
Kelma TuilagiEelsCrusher Tackle (Grade 2)Jack de Belin3 matches4 matches
Phoenix CrosslandKnightsHigh Tackle - Careless (Grade 1)Corey Horsburgh$1,800$2,500
Heath MasonTigersContrary Conduct (Grade 2)Match official1 match2 matches
Viliame KikauBulldogsHigh Tackle - Careless (Grade 1)Nathan Cleary$1,800$2,500

Mark Molyneux

Mark Molyneux is a freelance writer covering the NRL and UFC for Sporting News Australia. He has previously worked in the music industry and as a teacher around the world.