NRL: Smith can play in season decider

Jeremy Smith of the Dragons is tackled. Photo / Getty Images

The one component of his leg that hasn't caused Jeremy Smith angst during two injury-prone seasons at the St George Illawarra Dragons ironically endangered his quest for a second NRL premiership.

The Kiwis lock faced an anxious wait in the aftermath of Saturday's 13-12 preliminary final defeat of the Wests Tigers at ANZ Stadium before the NRL's match review committee chose to charge him with grade-one dangerous contact after a collision that left former double international Lote Tuqiri with suspected broken ribs.

Tuqiri was doubled up in pain and could not see out the match after Smith slid in as the wing was going to ground in the tackle of Jamie Soward with seven minutes remaining.

On-field match officials Shayne Hayne and Ben Cummins ruled Smith's action as unintentional and video referee Steve Clark agreed before the review committee viewed a replay of the incident yesterday.

Smith will be free to play next Sunday's grand final against the Sydney Roosters by lodging an early guilty plea, a relief after insisting any damage caused was accidental.

"I didn't go over there intentionally to hurt him," he said. "It's just the way he fell, he landed on my knees."

Dragons coach Wayne Bennett also launched a spirited defence of a key member of his pack.

"Lote fell right in front of him. I don't know where you're supposed to go. I think they [referees] made a great decision because obviously you can over-react, you see those things all the time.

"If Lote was laying on the ground and Jeremy ran five metres and did that, well, you've got a different situation. But where do you go?"

Missing the grand final would have been a bitter blow for the 30-year-old.

The premiership ring he won with the Melbourne Storm in 2007 has been tarnished by the club's salary cap rort and since his shift to Sydney last year he has been frustrated by ankle and calf issues.

Smith has played only 29 of a possible 52 games since joining the Dragons, and he has only one remaining after salary cap constraints forced a move to Cronulla to cover the expense of bringing prodigal son Mark Gasnier back from French rugby.

Bennett praised Smith's contribution to the Dragons progressing to the competition finale for the first time since 1999.

"Jeremy Smith's just a class player and that's the reason I wanted to bring him to the Dragons," he said.

"I worked with him in the New Zealand team and I just like what he offers.

"He rises to the occasion, the bigger the game the better he plays. There was probably no better player for New Zealand in that [2008] World Cup final and [on Saturday] he was outstanding. He senses the moment, he's got a great football head on him and he seized the opportunities as they present themselves."

With his fragile legs now manageable, Smith was relishing another experience to rival the Kiwis' World Cup glory.

"I like playing the big games, that's what brings the best out in people. They're good to be a part of."

- NZPA