NRL Preliminary Final 2022: Taane Milne Send-off, Suspension And World Cup Eligibility For Fiji
Taane Milne, who plays for South Sydney, was given a severe punishment for the startling red card he received against Penrith. As a result, the Rabbitohs' preparations for the 2023 World Cup may need to be adjusted.
After making a horrific and reckless' tackle on Penrith's Spencer Leniu, South Sydney's Taane Milne may only have to sit out two National Rugby League matches the next season due to a loophole involving the Rugby League World Cup.
After receiving a grade two reckless high tackle charge in Saturday night's loss to the Panthers in the preliminary final, the Fijian winger Milne was given a six-game ban for a head high shot on Leniu. This occurred after he had already been charged with the grade two offense.
However, because Fiji is already set to play a warm-up match against England as well as three pool games, Milne has the ability to reduce the suspension by up to four matches.
Milne was able to serve his suspension on an international level after being nominated to Fiji's extended squad for the Rugby League World Cup next month.
After North Sydney's Gary Larson and Canberra's John Lomax were both sent off in respective team's 1994 preliminary finals, Milne became the first player to be dismissed in a finals match since then.
In a tumultuous matchup with their rivals, the Sydney Roosters, Milne was sent to the sin bin twice in week one of the finals.
In order to reduce suspensions handed down by the match review committee for foul play, a number of NRL clubs and World Cup nations have already used the loophole.
A prominent member of the Sydney Roosters' forward pack, Lindsay Collins, was given an exemption from his four-game suspension for a hip drop tackle in Round 24 so that he may play for the Prime Minister's XIII in their match against Papua New Guinea.
New Zealand's final pool match will feature Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, who was banned for three games for a head slam on South Sydney's Tom Burgess.
North Queensland big man and Tongan captain Jason Taumalolo may be suspended for three matches for a reckless tackle on Parramatta's Isaiah Papali'i in the preliminary final on Friday night.
However, he will join Waerea-Hargreaves and Collins in serving their suspensions at the World Cup itself.
BENNETT CURSE BANISHED BUT PRELIM HOODOO STILL HAUNTS SOUTHS
- Michael Carayannis
The Wayne Bennett curse has been lifted, although winning the competition after finishing in a position outside of the top four will continue to be an impossible undertaking.
The window of opportunity for South Sydney to win the championship was meant to close last year. It was expected that South Sydney's successful streak would come to an end when Bennett and other high-profile players, like Adam Reynolds, Jaydn Su'A, and Dane Gagai, left the team.
The Rabbitohs proved there is still hope for this current Bunnies squad after the hiring of new coach Jason Demetriou and the re-emergence of a motivated Latrell Mitchell.
The group would still feel some level of dissatisfaction.
They have reached the grand finals for the past year, however their only loss came to Penrith in the previous year's final. They were once again defeated by panthers.
Having sprung out to a 12-0 lead on Saturday night and then giving up three tries in a span of eight minutes before halftime must have been extremely frustrating for them.
The bunker had correctly stopped three Panthers' efforts in the first half.
Despite being the superior team in the first half, they were helpless when they fell behind.
The penultimate play of the first half resulted in a fumble by Campbell-Graham, which was recovered by Brian To'o. To'o was able to sprint 80 meters for a score, which allowed Penrith to tie the game before the break.
Penrith's play in the first half may have been shaky, but they were on their game in the second, which prevented South Sydney from regaining the initiative they had lost.
Four minutes into the second half, the Panthers finally made it across. With 24 minutes remaining and a Penrith lead of 12, the game was effectively gone.
The game was already decided when Taane Milne was ejected for a high tackle on Spencer Leniu.
The Rabbitohs' season is not over yet, though.
In contrast to the significant player turnover they experienced last season, the Rabbitohs look to have a much more stable unit for the next season.
By doing so, they aim to get a full season out of Mitchell and see halfback Lachlan Ilias improve after proving he can succeed in Reynolds's vacated position.
They are no longer dependable. Kodi Nikorima (Dolphins), on the other hand, was always considered a transitional signing. Mark Nicholls (Dolphins)
Mitchell, Cody Walker, Damien Cook, and Tom Burgess will all have their long-term prospects cast in doubt due to the situation with the trade.
As of November 1, the quintet will be free to sign with any team.
Demetriou has proven himself by standing behind the team's young players and maintaining composure despite the club's sluggish start to the season.
Another trip to the playoffs is cause for celebration, especially since Demetriou has proven he can lead this team back to the top when others have failed.