Dylan Napa is put on report as a fight breaks out. Photo / Photosport
Dylan Napa is put on report as a fight breaks out. Photo / Photosport
Warriors forwards Bunty Afoa and Jazz Tevaga have been charged by the NRL match review committee following last night's 32-0 loss to the Sydney Roosters.
Both players have been hit with grade one dangerous contact charges after Afoa connected with Roosters prop Sio Siua Taukeiaho in the 13th minute, before Tevaga was involved in a potentially dangerous legs tackle with interchange front-rower Jared Waerea-Hargreaves on the stroke of halftime.
The pair will escape further penalty however with early guilty pleas leaving them available to play for the Warriors in next Friday's away clash against Parramatta at ANZ Stadium.
Roosters' enforcer Dylan Napa has also been charged for two offences that occurred in the spiteful final stages of the game at Mt Smart Stadium.
The 25-year-old Queensland State of Origin forward faces a $1,500 fine for his high shot that forced Warriors teenage second-rower Isaiah Papali'i from the field in the 76th minute, although an early plea would see that reduced to $1,100.
Napa has also been charged with grade one dangerous contact after a late hit in the final minute of the match on Warriors prop Bunty Afoa.
The incident sparked the last of three melees involving Warriors senior forward Adam Blair and Tevaga, but Napa will escape further punishment again with a second early plea.
Both Napa and Waerea-Hargreaves terrorised the Warriors pack, with the former engaging in an enthralling battle with Warriors prop Agnatius Paasi, who was left bleeding after the pair clashed heads in a brutal collision in the 15th minute.
Waerea-Hargreaves also ironed out Warriors five-eighth Blake Green with a late tackle after a clearing kick, and was eventually sent to the sinbin after he pushed his Kiwis teammate Blair to further inflame tensions in the 79th minute.
"He just made up a story and came running over," Blair said of the incident.
"I don't even know what he was saying to be quite honest. I guess it's the heat of the battle and you can do that when you're up 32-0 and I think they were holding that one in since we played them last time.
"They were quiet then but they came over here with a really great attitude to bang and barge."
Earlier in the match, Tevaga upset Waerea-Hargreaves after he tackled the Kiwi international's legs in the final play of the first half.
Referees Matt Cecchin and Jon Stone did not penalise Tevaga but Waerea-Hargreaves angrily confronted the 22-year-old interchange hooker as both sides made their way off the field.
Tensions continued to simmer throughout the second-half as the Roosters forwards took glee in dishing out punishment while their side avenged their 30-6 loss to the Warriors in round four.
Tevaga and Blair later exchanged further words with Napa after he blindsided Afoa after he had passed the ball in the dying seconds of the game.
"I was just frustrated. There were a few words exchanged but all good, we'll just leave it on the field," said Tevaga.
Meanwhile, Melbourne captain Cameron Smith has been charged with grade two dangerous contact for a wishbone tackle on his former teammate Kevin Proctor during the Storm's 28-14 win over the Gold Coast at Suncorp Stadium.
