Latest Update: Saturday, June 15
Andrew Fifita has today decided to challenge his grade two dangerous contact charge in the hope of playing for Tonga in their Test Match against New Zealand next weekend.
Fifita will challenge the grading and if successful in having it downgraded will not miss a game, meaning he will be available for both Tonga and the Sharks next game against the Bulldogs on June 30.
Should he fail to have the charge downgraded, Fifita would miss three match, the Tongan Tests and the following two club matches.
With Fifita set to travel to New Zealand on Sunday with his Tongan teammates, the judiciary hearing is likely to be conducted by a video hook up early next week.
Friday, June 14
Sharks prop Andrew Fifita has been charged by the match review committee with grade two dangerous contact/head neck from the game against the Raiders in Canberra last night.
Fifita caught the attention of the match review because of a tackle on Raiders prop Ryan Sutton in the eighth minute of the match, with the alleged indiscretion attracting a base penalty of 300 points, 225 should he accept the charge.
If Fifita challenges and fails to have the charge downgraded or dismissed he would miss three matches, should be accept he would be forced to sit out two games, the Tonga v New Zealand Test and the Sharks following game in the Telstra Premiership against the Bulldogs.
Fifita and the Sharks will look at the footage of the tackle, consult their legal representatives and consider the options. He could challenge with a not guilty plea or attempt to have the charge downgraded.
The Sharks front rower is considered one of the spiritual leaders of the Tongan team and would have been an integral member of their team for the Oceania Test match against the Kiwis on June 22.
