Cowboys wrecking ball Jason Taumalolo has been hit with a big ban for a brutal hit on Eels star Isaiah Papali’I in Friday night’s defeat to Parramatta in Townsville.
Taumalolo was sent to the bin after his shoulder slammed into the head of the Eels’ big bopper in the 15th minute – and after missing out on reaching the NRL grand final, his weekend has now gone from bad to worse.
Taumalolo was hit with a Grade 2 dangerous contact charge from the NRL Judiciary, which will see him miss three games should he take an early guilty plea. If he fights the charge but fails to overturn the decision at the judiciary panel, he will be handed a four-game ban.
The hefty suspension is due to his previous record of on-field indiscretions, but could have been even longer, had the NRL ruled it a shoulder charge rather than a dangerous contact charge.
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The news is a huge blow to Tonga’s World Cup bid. Taumalolo won 10 caps for New Zealand between 2014 and 2017, before swapping allegiances to Tonga prior to the last World Cup.
With stars like David Fifita following in his stead, Tonga beat New Zealand in the group stage and came close to beating England in the semi-finals.
Tonga face PNG, Wales and the Cook Islands in their group stage at next month’s tournament. Taumalolo will likely have a warm up game with France counted against his suspension, leaving him free to return against the Cook Islands.
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Meanwhile, Parramatta co-captain Junior Paulo escaped without even a fine for a dangerous tackle in the second half, which led to a penalty.
He will now be free to play in the grand final.
