James Maloney put on report for karate kick

ROOSTERS halfback James Maloney will nervously await his fate after being put on report for this shocking brain-snap just a week out from NRL finals.

A DOMINANT first-half display by the Roosters has been marred by an ill-thought trip from halfback James Maloney.

The 29-year-old lost the ball in contact close to the Rabbitohs line, only to throw his leg out in a karate-style kick, as Rabbitohs lock Kyle Turner regathered and rushed towards the Sydney defensive line.

With play stopped and the push and shove of the opposition subsiding, the look on Maloney’s face was that of utter disbelief that he could have so irresponsibly put his finals participation in jeopardy. And with the Roosters up 25-0 and camped deep in the Rabbitohs half, one is left questioning, was it ever worth the risk?

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The incident was an unusual lapse in concentration for Maloney, who looked set to direct the minor premiers into a finals berth next week.

The incumbent half will now have a nervous wait to determine how the match review committee views the wayward kick. If the outcome is a trip ruling, it is likely he will be free to play next week, however if the incident is determined to be a dangerous contact charge, Maloney could be facing time on the sideline.

And with the Roosters lightly stocked in the halves of late, Maloney may have inadvertently thrust a huge responsibility onto the shoulders of youngster Jackson Hastings.

Maloney’s kick has been likened to Josh Reynolds unwanted reputation for tripping the opposition.

James Maloney looks set to be charged with a grade one Josh Reynolds. #NRLRoostersRabbitohs

— Dane (@eld2_0) September 4, 2015

was that josh reynolds or james maloney? #NRLRoosterSouths

— mike ⚡️ (@Mike_y0) September 4, 2015

BAD NEWS: James Maloney suspended next week. GOOD NEWS: Maloney just qualified for Rio Olympics in karate. #nrlsydsou

— Former Legend (@Former_legend) September 4, 2015

26' REPORT James Maloney on report for striking out at Alex Johnson with his leg. Not good timing on finals eve #NRLSydSou

— NothingButRL (@NothingButRL) September 4, 2015

James Maloney is going to get a couple of weeks for that trip.

— Robbie (@CubertCube) September 4, 2015

The Roosters were ruthless in their five-try victory in front of 25,019 at Allianz Stadium on Friday night.

By the 23rd minute, the Roosters were scoring at better than a point a minute after running in tries through Michael Jennings, Blake Ferguson, Boyd Cordner and Jake Friend for a 24-0 advantage. Shaun Kenny-Dowall also made a strong return to the field after missing the previous seven weeks, coming up with some vigorous carries but was outshone by his right-side partner Ferguson.

Prop Sam Moa stepped up in Jared Waerea-Hargreaves’ absence while Roger Tuivasa-Sheck was at his creative and elusive best. The only thing that went wrong for the Roosters was when their numbers started falling off the back of their jerseys during the first half.

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck was up to his usual tricks with a flashy performance against the Rabbitohs.

The Roosters finished the season two competition points ahead of Brisbane and will meet either Melbourne, Cronulla or Canterbury in week one of the finals.

They became the first side since Manly in 1995-97 to win three straight JJ Giltinan Shields and the first side in a united competition since the Sea Eagles of 1971-73.

The Rabbitohs’ hopes of back-to-back premierships appear in tatters after they conceded their second big scoreline in consecutive weeks after being thrashed 47-12 by the Broncos eight days earlier.

Missing Greg Inglis, who is due back from a knee injury next week, as well as John Sutton and Issac Luke, the Rabbitohs barely fired a shot and were badly shown up in defence.

— with Steve Zemek, AAP

Originally published as James Maloney put on report for karate kick