Panthers hooker Api Koroisau failed in his bid to have a one-match ban overturned at the NRL judiciary despite an “impressive’ defence from coach Ivan Cleary.
Cleary represented Koroisau on Tuesday night instead of a barrister in a unique attempt to help the No.9 beat a contrary conduct charge stemming from last weekend’s win over the Roosters.
Cleary impressed in his endeavour to clear Koroisau for his involvement in a scuffle with Roosters enforcer Jared Waera-Hargreaves.
But despite his efforts, it wasn’t enough to convince the three-man panel of Ben Creagh, Bob Lindner and Dallas Johnson to acquit.
He will now miss Friday night’s clash with the Dragons at Suncorp Stadium.
Koroisau also stressed to the panel that there was no malice in his action, rather, he “just wanted to let him (Waera-Hargreaves) know that what he was doing – trying to pick on a 19-year-old – wasn’t on.”
Earlier, Warriors winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak also failed to beat a contrary conduct charge for kneeing Cronulla’s Will Chambers in the head during a play-the-ball.
The one-game ban will mean Watene-Zelezniak will miss the chance to celebrate his 150th NRL game against his old club, the Bulldogs.
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