Rugby League World Cup: Ronaldo Mulitalo to miss semi-final after Fiji send-off
Just as the Kiwis prepare to welcome superstar fullback Kalyn Ponga back from injury, another outside back faces a stint on the sidelines after an ugly on-field incident against the Fiji Bati.
Ronaldo Mulitalo was sent from the field for a dangerous tackle on Bati winger Ronald Philitoga in the 52nd minute of the Pool A clash at Cbus Super Stadium on the Gold Coast. The tackle involved direct contact by Mulitalo’s shoulder to the head of Philitoga.
The Kiwis routed Fiji 78-0, after leading 48-0 at halftime.
Mulitalo, a polarising figure from the Cronulla Sharks, was charged by the match review committee for the tackle.
He will escape with a one-match ban if he makes an early guilty plea.
That would mean he would miss next weekend’s semi-final against the winner of tonight’s match between Tonga and Samoa.
Following the tackle, both teams were involved in an altercation that saw Fiji halfback Brandon Wakeham punch Mulitalo while the Kiwi was on the ground. Wakeham was also sent from the field and, like Mulitalo, faces a ban.
With Fiji’s World Cup campaign now over, Wakeham will serve any suspension at the beginning of the upcoming NRL season for his Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles side.
Meanwhile, the Kiwis look likely to have Ponga back in black for the knockout stages after the star fullback suffered a broken arm in the tournament opener against Australia just two-and-a-half weeks ago.