NZ Warriors enforcer Marata Niukore faces an extended spell on the sidelines, after his third high-tackle charge of the NRL season against St George Dragons.
The powerhouse second-rower was sin-binned just after halftime of the 48-18 win, when he put a high shot on Dragons centre Moses Suli, who left the field for a concussion check and never returned.
Niukore, 26, copped a $3000 fine for the same offence in his previous outing against Canberra Raiders, after an identical fine from the Round 10 encounter against Penrith Panthers.
Previously, he was fined $1000 for dangerous contract in Round Three against North Queensland Cowboys and suspended two weeks, when he repeated the offence against Cronulla Sharks in Round Five.
Niukore will cop a three-week suspension with an early guilty plea, but that would become four weeks, if he unsuccessfully defends the charge.
His expected absence against South Sydney Rabbitohs next week should be offset by the return of Mitch Barnett, who was suspended from the Dragons game on a high-tackle charge.
Meanwhile, St George forward Jack de Belin has been charged twice for tackles against Warriors winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (high) and centre Rocco Berry (dangerous), but faces only a fine with an early guilty plea.
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