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Sydney Roosters prop Sarah Togatuki is free to play in the NRLW grand final against St George Illawarra after successfully downgrading a high-tackle charge at the judiciary.
Togatuki was facing the prospect of a two-game ban for a high shot on Brisbane star Lavina Gould in Sunday’s shock semi-final win.
But the New South Wales State of Origin prop was successfully able to argue her way down to a grade-one charge at the judiciary, convincing the panel there was only a minor level of carelessness.
The verdict means she will receive only a warning for the hit, with the emotional 24-year-old to fly to Brisbane with the team on Thursday.
Sarah Togatuki will take her place for the @sydneyroosters after she was successful in having her careless high tackle downgraded at the NRL judiciary on Tuesday night.https://t.co/p3mCGVc9yu
– NRLW (@NRLWomens) April 5, 2022
Togatuki’s hit was enough to end Gould’s game early, with the Broncos veteran subsequently failing a HIA and being ruled out for the match.
But the 39-year-old will still be happy to see Togatuki play in Sunday’s final, making clear her belief before the hearing the Roosters prop should not be banned.
“We play a contact sport and I don’t believe she was out there to hurt me,” Gould told AAP this week.
“If I had my time again, I’d like to change my position on the way I went into the tackle and I’m sure she would do the same.
“Sometimes things don’t go to plan when the game is played at such a pace.
“There was no intent or malice on her behalf. It was just an unfortunate part of the game.
“I don’t hold her accountable and I don’t want her to miss out on a grand final because she’s worked hard to get there.”
Togatuki’s ability to play is crucial for the Roosters, who face a stern battle in the middle against a Dragons pack led by Kezie Apps and Elsie Albert.
The Roosters named an unchanged 17 on Tuesday with Togatuki in the front row, while hooker Olivia Higgins has also been named after suffering an ankle injury.
The Dragons also kept their same starting 13, with lock Tegan Dymock named on the bench and a chance to overcome a hand injury and play her first game of the season.
-AAP
