NRL Finals 2020: Penrith faces anxious wait over James Fisher-Harris and Zane Tetevano high tackles
Penrith’s win over South Sydney was soured with fresh judiciary concerns after James Fisher-Harris was placed on report for a high tackle and Zane Tetevano to come under scrutiny.
NRL
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James Tamou has made an impassioned plea to clear teammate James Fisher-Harris after the Kiwi star was placed on report for a high tackle while Zane Tetevano is also facing a nervous wait.
“I am just hopeful, we need him to win,” Tamou said.
“I don’t think there is too much in it. All his intent was to go low but it slipped up and hit him high.”
Penrith’s 20-16 win was soured with fresh judiciary concerns after Fisher-Harris’ tackle on a falling Tevita Tatola.
Interchange prop Tetevano was not placed on report but was penalised after collecting Rabbitohs player Jed Cartwright with a swinging arm across the face.
Isaah Yeo was also penalised for a high tackle.
Panthers coach Ivan Cleary said they were “similar ones (where) low tackles ended up being high tackles.”
“Commonsense will prevail,” Cleary said.
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The Panthers will have Viliame Kikau back to play the Storm after missing the match due to suspension.
Initially Fisher-Harris’ tackle went unnoticed by referee Gerard Sutton before the bunker intervened to penalise him after Tatola dropped the ball.
The good news for Fisher-Harris is that he has no carry over points nor any loading having never been charged before in his 108 game career.
A grade one careless high tackle will only result in Fisher-Harris being fined and freeing him to play the Storm on Sunday.
A grade two careless high tackle has a base of 200 demerit points and would result in Fisher-Harris needing to fight the charge and win at the NRL judiciary to play.
Tetevano has not been charged all season but missed two games last year for a dangerous contact incident. Interchange prop Spencer Leniu was a late omission because of illness and will come into the side if either Tetevano or Fisher-Harris are suspended.
The Storm have a fully fit roster and no judiciary issues.
Hooker Api Koroisau sent a major scare through the Panthers camp when he came from the field with a shoulder injury only to return 10 minutes later to play out the match.
Koroisau said “there was a bit of carry on but I’ll be right to play”.
“I couldn’t pass the ball,” he said.
“If you can’t pass the ball from dummy-half you’re pretty useless. I thought it would be better if I came off.”
Cleary produced a selection surprise when he named Tyrone May to start at centre in place of Brent Naden. Naden went unused on the bench.
“It was our best defensive combination,” Cleary said.
“You have to take risks and do what you think is right.”