Roosters star Angus Crichton has successfully appealed his two-match suspension for an ugly accidental elbow on Samoa’s Chanel Harris-Tavita in the World Cup final.
In the 46th minute Crichton’s elbow struck the chin of Harris-Tavita who was forced to leave the field due to concussion protocols, while the Kangaroos gun was sent to the sin bin.
Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga fronted the judiciary, alongside Crichton, and the pair were able to secure a one-match downgrade on his charge.
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While Crichton will now only miss a single game to start the 2023 season, the 26-year-old will be sidelined for the Dolphins first NRL game.
“The tribunal came to the conclusion that the actions of the player were not reckless, but they were careless,” a statement from the World Cup judiciary read.
“Accordingly, the offence was re-graded and the tribunal reached the conclusion that the most appropriate punishment is a one-match suspension rather than a two-match suspension as submitted by the review panel.”
The Roosters will be the first team to face off against the NRL’s newest franchise in Round 1, while Crichton will play his first game of the 2023 season against the Warriors on March 11.
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The NSW Blues representative made sure to clear the air with Harris-Tavita after Australia’s 30-10 World Cup victory and even revealed the pair were travelling together after the tournament.
“I didn’t know he was coming and there was no malice at all, sending out my blessings to his family,” Crichton said.
“It is all love between me and Chanel, I spoke to him after the game and I apologised, whenever I play football I don’t try to injure anyone.
“I never want to see anyone get injured on a football field, we love rugby league because of the nature of the sport, we don’t go out there trying to hurt people.
Crichton BINNED after stiff forearm | 00:41
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“I just want everyone to know it was just a genuine reaction, I never go out on the field to try and hurt someone.
“He’s a great player and I am actually meant to be travelling with him after this so there’s no bad blood between me and Chanel.
“He’s great friends with Nathan Cleary, who I am also great mates with… I am genuinely sorry for that, it was not my intention at all.”
Meanwhile, a frustrated Matt Parish believed the Roosters backrower was lucky not to be sent off.
“Five minutes into the second half our hooker gets elbowed in the head and gets carted off, then the referee makes a weak decision and puts him in the bin, dumbfounded,” Parish said.
“An elbow to the head and the hooker gets knocked out and taken out of the game.”
