SYDNEY - New Zealand prop Craig Smith's habit of lifting his knees into tacklers has again raised the ire of the National Rugby League judiciary in Australia.
Smith, the St George-Illawarra captain who was suspended for one week for the same offence last month, may escape punishment this time for doing
a similar thing against the Parramatta Eels on Saturday.
If he was to plead guilty to the grade one contrary conduct charge imposed by the NRL judiciary, he would be sidelined for one game.
He would face the same penalty if he contested the charge and was found guilty.
A nonplussed Smith was saying little yesterday.
He did not know which tackle the charge related to and was to discuss his approach to it with club officials.
"I'll have to have a close look at the incident, but it would be fair to say I'm very disappointed," he said.
The NRL revealed the charge related to a second-half incident involving Eels hooker Brad Drew.
In round three, Smith pleaded guilty to two grade one charges against Melbourne.
Afterwards, he pledged to discuss his technique with NRL officials so it would not become an habitual problem.
The major talking points from Monday's charge list were contrary conduct offences laid against glamour five-eighths Brad Fittler and Trent Barrett.
Fittler and Barrett have both been hit with grade three contrary conduct charges.
These offences carry two-week suspensions if they enter early guilty pleas.
Fittler will miss two weeks of action if he challenges the charge and is found guilty at the judiciary meeting tonight.
But a previous offence against Barrett would stretch his ban to three weeks if he unsuccessfully contests the charge.
- NZPA
