'Disgusted': NRL's Corey Harawira-Naera apologises for brutal hit
Canberra Raiders player Corey Harawira-Naera has posted a heartfelt apology to opponent Jahrome Hughes after knocking out the Melbourne Storm player in a tackle gone wrong on Thursday night.
Harawira-Naera faces the prospect of being ruled out for the remainder of the season by the NRL judiciary, after being slapped with a grade-three reckless high tackle charge by the match review committee.
HUGE: NRL club's staggering move amid Ash Barty's rise in world tennis
OVER THE TOP: Why the hype around Tom Trbojevic is wrong
His charge carried with it 600 demerit points and a six-game ban that would mean he only plays again if the Raiders make the grand final.
But with a 25 per cent discount for no charges in the past seven years as well as an early guilty plea, the second-rower can have his ban halved to just the final three rounds.
An apologetic Harawira-Naera revealed on Friday that he spent the remainder of Canberra's 26-16 loss to the Storm crying in the sheds after being sent off for collecting Hughes high.
Hughes also confirmed to social media on Friday he'd heard from a remorseful Harawira-Naera who had regularly checked on his welfare.
In an emotional post on social media, Harawira-Naera apologised again to the Melbourne half and admitted he struggled to sleep after also making a point to say sorry as he left the field.
"In all my days of playing this game of Rugby League, I have never left the field feeling so disgusted in myself to the point where I had sat in the sheds and balled my eyes out for a good 5 minutes," Harawira-Naera posted.
"The picture I have in my head of when I first looked up after the collision of your eyes rolled to back to your head and your body stiff bro @jahromehughes.
"Being the cause of it gave me a feeling I never want to feel again or would never want anyone else to feel.
"What happened last night I wouldn't wish upon my biggest enemy and struggling to sleep last night hopefully shows how remorseful and sorry I am my bro.
"I have what's coming to me when it comes to judiciary and will serve the time I have to.
"All love my bro and I hope to see you back to full health firstly and back on the field in no time bro."
Harawira-Naera tackle heavily criticised by ex-NRL greats
Both players appeared to be injured after Harawira-Naera inadvertently collected Hughes' head with his shoulder, with the former making no arguments after being sent from the field by the referee.
On commentary for Fox League, former Melbourne Storm star Cooper Cronk described it as 'one of the worst we've seen'.
Cronk tipped Harawira-Naera was going to cop a substantial penalty for the sloppy attempt.
“I know he’s trying to change momentum for his team, but he has clearly got that wrong. He is going to spend a long, long time on the sidelines I’m guessing.”
Raiders teammate Josh Papalii copped a three-game suspension for a high shot that saw him sent off earlier this season.
"He's going to be in a lot of strife, Corey," Thurston told Channel Nine post game.
"It's a tackle that has certainly gone wrong. I don't know if he'll see out the end of the year.
"He's going to be in for a long stint on the sideline; it's gone horribly wrong, I don't know how you're going to defend that."
Storm coach Craig Bellamy was concerned for Hughes' welfare after the game, saying he couldn't remember anything from the game, such was the force of the hit.
“He’s not well. He can’t remember anything about the game,” Bellamy said.
If Harawira-Naera can't play out the season, the Raiders could be forced to recall one of Corey Horsburgh or Ryan James, who have been loaned to Canterbury on a week-by-week basis.
With AAP
Watch 'Mind Games', the new series from Yahoo Sport Australia exploring the often brutal mental toil elite athletes go through in pursuit of greatness:
Click here to sign up to our newsletter for all the latest and breaking stories from Australia and around the world.
