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Eels' Moeroa cops three-game NRL ban

Parramatta forward Tepai Moeroa has taken an early guilty plea for his shoulder charge and been suspended for three NRL matches.

Tepai Moeroa
Parramatta forward Tepai Moeroa will miss three NRL matches due to a ban for a shoulder charge. (AAP)

Parramatta second-rower Tepai Moeroa has copped a three-game NRL ban for his shoulder charge on Newcastle forward Chris Heighington on Saturday.

Moeroa risked a five-match suspension if he fought the grade three shoulder charge citing and lost, but he took the early guilty plea on Monday.

Manly forward Jack Gosiewski was the only other player charged in round 13 and has been banned for two games after failing to contest his shoulder charge on Johnathan Thurston.

It means Goswieski, who is out for six weeks with a broken arm suffered in a separate incident, only has 40 carryover points compared to 80 if he took the early plea.

Moeroa's suspension is the latest blow in the Eels' season from hell, which included the loss of playmakers Mitch Moses (knee) and Will Smith (hamstring) to injury.

Moses is out for up to three weeks and Smith could be sidelined for two, however coach Brad Arthur could have Corey Norman, Jarryd Hayne and Tim Mannah back on deck.

Moeroa's spot is likely to be taken by rookie Marata Niukore, who has now played three matches after making his debut in round 11.


2 min read

Published

Source: AAP



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