Queensland forward David Taylor. Photo / Getty Images
Queensland forward David Taylor will miss next Wednesday's State of Origin series decider in Brisbane after pleading guilty to a dangerous throw charge.
However, the South Sydney enforcer, who is facing four weeks on the sidelines, has opted to fight at an NRL judiciary hearing on Wednesday night to have
the charge reduced from a grade two to a grade one.
If he's successful he would only miss one NRL match, as well as the Origin game at Suncorp Stadium on July 6.
Taylor was hit with the charge following a lifting tackle on Brisbane's Scott Anderson in the Rabbitohs' 16-12 win over the Broncos in Perth on Friday.
By taking the early plea, Taylor becomes ineligible for selection for Queensland even though his potential one-match ban would be served when South Sydney play Cronulla on Sunday.
That's because the Australian Rugby League closed a selection loophole whereby Lote Tuqiri was not named in Queensland's original squad for a match in 2002 but called in after serving out a suspension in an NRL match the weekend before the Origin clash.
Meanwhile, Manly's Steve Matai is facing one or two weeks on the sidelines after copping a striking charge stemming from Monday night's NRL loss to St George Illawarra.
The Sea Eagles centre came over the top with a swinging arm on Dragons winger Jason Nightingale, sparking a confrontation between Matai and long-time rival Mark Gasnier.
Matai will receive a one-match ban if he takes the early guilty plea, and two matches if he chooses to contest the grade one charge and loses.
St George Illawarra's Nathan Fien was also charged with a grade one careless high tackle, but he'll escape a ban regardless of whether he takes the early plea or contests it.
Sea Eagles prop Jason King escaped attention for making contact with Dragons centre Kyle Stanley after the flyer touched down for a try.
Dragons coach Wayne Bennett was upset post-match, claiming King's checking of Stanley was intentional, however the match review committee saw differently.
Sydney Roosters forward Frank-Paul Nuuausala will miss one match after entering an early guilty plea for a dangerous contact charge.
- AAP
