NRL 2022: Bunnies finals blow as Tom Burgess ban stands

South Sydney star Tom Burgess may not play again this season after copping a suspension from Sunday’s wild elimination final.

Tensions boiled over with a record seven players sent to the sin bin. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

The fallout has from Sunday’s wild elimination final has hit the Rabbitohs hard with Tom Burgess in danger of missing the rest of the season after taking a two-week suspension for a high shot on Roosters captain James Tedesco.

There were five charges issued after a record seven sin bins were handed out in an explosive match won 30-14 by South Sydney over its biggest rival at Allianz Stadium.

But Souths have felt the biggest impact with Burgess, who was one of the players sent to the sin bin for a high shot on Matt Lodge, taking an early guilty plea and a two-match ban.

He won’t play again this season unless the Rabbitohs win two more finals and make the grand final

Tom & Taane have both taken early guilty pleas after being charged by the NRL Judiciary following Sunday's win over the Roosters. Details: https://t.co/cI9I01MxxRpic.twitter.com/WlkxrppcbC

— South Sydney Rabbitohs 🐰 (@SSFCRABBITOHS) September 13, 2022

Roosters fans were enraged that Burgess was allowed to stay on the field for the high hit that forced Tedesco off for an HIA that he failed. His absence forced a major backline reshuffle that the hosts never recovered from.

The ban means Burgess will miss Saturday’s match against the Sharks and then next week’s preliminary final against Penrith if the Rabbitohs get there.

James Tedesco was knocked out of the contest after just 17 minutes. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

While Burgess’ ban has immediate consequences, New Zealand could be without Jared Waerea-Hargreaves for a large chunk of the World Cup after the Roosters enforcer was slapped with a grade 2 dangerous contact charge.

Tom Burgess and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves have been banned after the most explosive finals match in the NRL era. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

The veteran front-rower slammed Burgess’ head into the ground and dropped an elbow as he was going to the turf which forced his rival out of the game and allowed South Sydney to bring on their 18th man in the second half.

Waerea-Hargreaves is looking at a three-game ban if he pleads guilty but will miss four matches if he fights the charge and loses.

There were two other charges to come out of Sunday’s wild encounter with Joseph Suaalii and Taane Milne able to accept fines for their grade one offences.

Originally published as NRL 2022: Bunnies finals blow as Tom Burgess ban stands