3 minute read
Brisbane's Annetta-Claudia Nu'uausala has withdrawn a bid to downgrade a ban for a hip-drop tackle after injury ended her victim's season.
Brisbane have withdrawn their bid to downgrade Annetta-Claudia Nu'uausala's NRLW ban for a hip-drop tackle, after Parramatta's Rueben Cherrington was ruled out for the season through injury.
Nu'uausala was due to front the NRL's judiciary on Tuesday night, attempting to turn her two-match ban for the dangerous-contact charge into a fine.
But the Broncos opted against that challenge on Tuesday, writing to the NRL judiciary chairman to change Nu'uausala's plea to guilty over the tackle.
The Broncos' decision came as it emerged Cherrington had suffered a season-ending syndesmosis injury from the tackle.
It means Nu'uausala will now miss four matches in total, given she had already accepted a two-game ban for punching Rueben's sister Kennedy in an ensuing fight.
Kennedy Cherrington has already accepted a fine for her role in the fight, after she ran in and pushed Nu'uausala after the tackle.
The incident has already overshadowed the opening weekend of the NRLW, and spilled over into a social-media feud.
Kennedy Cherrington took to social media after the match saying she always had her sister's back, but Nu'uausala appeared to bite back on Monday.
"What people saw Saturday arvo was a desperate attempt at a tackle that went wrong," Nu'uausala posted on Instagram.
"What people tend to forget is, we as footy players do not go out there to intentionally hurt anyone. I know I don't, anyway.
"What happened was blown way out of proportion.
"I am a strong family-orientated person. I defend mine just like anyone else would.
"But I know the difference between an accident and when something is done on purpose.
"I don't flip out to please people. I don't use social media to gain likes or be liked.
"And I definitely do not use social media to get reassurance from people I don't know."
Nu'uausala's ban means she will miss close to half of the nine-round NRLW season and only return in round six.
Parramatta have named Taneka Todhunter at hooker for their clash with Gold Coast on Sunday as a replacement for Rueben Cherrington.