Raiders forward Joseph Tapine accepts two-game ban for shoulder charge

CANBERRA back-rower Joseph Tapine has accepted a two-match NRL suspension for his shoulder charge on St George Illawarra fullback Matt Dufty.

Joseph Tapine has been suspended for a shoulder charge.

CANBERRA back-rower Joseph Tapine has accepted a two-match NRL suspension for his shoulder charge on St George Illawarra fullback Matt Dufty.

Tapine on Tuesday took an early guilty plea to the grade one shoulder charge citation, ruling him out of the Raiders’ clashes with Manly and Penrith.

He narrowly avoided being suspended for an additional week, due to his disciplinary record.

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Tapine received an additional 40 per cent loading, because of two non-similar prior offences in the past two years, and 85 carry-over points.

He incurred 295 fine points, five short of the threshold which would have resulted in a three-match suspension.

Meanwhile, his teammate Josh Papalii accepted a $1,350 fine for a careless high tackle on Dufty.

Originally published as Raiders forward Joseph Tapine accepts two-game ban for shoulder charge