Angus Crichton won’t miss an NRL match for his elbow on Chanel Harris-Tavita in the World Cup final due to an International Rugby League loophole which will allow him to serve his ban in the trials.
Crichton, who was sin-binned for the clash which left the Samoan star heavily concussed, will be free to play in the Roosters’ season opener against the Dolphins at Suncorp Stadium next year.
The Roosters have been told international rules are different to those of the NRL, which deem any player suspended in a late-season game must serve their ban in competition matches the following year.
Eels forward Ryan Matterson will miss three matches at the start of next season for a crusher tackle in the grand final loss to Penrith after opting not to accept a $4000 fine with an early guilty plea.
But there will be no such drama for Crichton, who will sit out the Roosters’ pre-season match against the Storm in Geelong to clear his one-game ban.
The news will be a huge boost to Roosters coach Trent Robinson, whose side will be the first opponents for foundation club the Dolphins.
Angus Crichton forearm on Chanel Harris TevitaCredit:Fox Sports
The Wayne Bennett-led 17th team will play against the Roosters for the Arthur Beetson Cup in their inaugural match to honour the late Immortal.
Crichton was initially suspended for two games after the final, which the Kangaroos won comfortably at Old Trafford.
The suspension was reduced to one at a judiciary hearing after Australian coach Mal Meninga represented the back-rower at a hearing.
Part of Meninga’s argument was the ball was actually dead when Crichton raised his arm to protect himself from Harris-Tavita’s tackle.
The Roosters were preparing to welcome back State of Origin star Crichton for their round two clash against the Sea Eagles in Gosford, but will now have the 26-year-old available from the season kick-off.
Samoa coach Matt Parish was furious with referee Ashley Klein’s decision to only sin-bin Crichton during the decider, labelling it a “weak decision”.
“Five minutes into the second half our hooker gets elbowed in the head and gets carted off,” Parish said. “The referee makes a weak decision and puts him in the bin. Dumbfounded.”
It prompted a strong rebuke from Meninga, who then took it upon himself to argue his player’s case at the judiciary.
The subject of late year suspensions has been a prickly one with South Sydney granted approval for Latrell Mitchell to have the 2022 All-Stars match count towards his season-ending ban from the previous year.
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