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Jeremiah Nanai slapped with suspension after ugly dangerous throw

The Cowboys star is set to miss the intrastate rivalry clash after the suspension.

Cowboys second-rower Jeremiah Nanai sent to the sin bin.
Cowboys second-rower Jeremiah Nanai is set to miss two games after a dangerous tackle. (Getty Images)

Cowboys second-rower Jeremiah Nanai is set to miss two games - including the new NRL intrastate clash against the Dolphins - after being charged for a dangerous throw in the 24-12 defeat of Gold Coast. On Saturday, Nanailifted Phillip Sami and dumped him on his head.

Fortunately, Sami avoided any serious damage and was able to continue. However, Nanai was sent to the sin bin for the dangerous tackle.

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The State of Origin representative placed his hand between Sami's legs - the tell-tale sign of a more serious dangerous throw - and referee Chris Butler gave him a stint on the sidelines. And after a review, the match review committee charged Nanai with a grade one dangerous throw and offered a two-match ban with an early guilty plea given Nanai's previous record.

Nanai found himself in trouble last week, but escaped with a fine last week after being charged with grade one contact against the Warriors. For his latest shot, Nanai will miss upcoming matches against Canterbury and the Dolphins but risks also sitting out the return clash with the Warriors if he unsuccessfully challenges the charge at the judiciary.

The North Queensland Cowboys got back to winning ways on the weekend having lost to the Broncos and the Warriors in their opening three rounds. They are now 2-2 to start the season.

Nanai's Cowboys teammate Valentine Holmes has escaped suspension for a grade one shoulder charge on rival centre Aaron Schoupp and can accept a $1500 fine. South Sydney forward Jed Cartwright has been charged with grade one dangerous contact for a hit on Haumole Olakau'atu in Saturday night's game and will be fined $750 with an early guilty plea.

Earlier in the Rabbitohs' 13-12 win, referee Chris Sutton placed Olakau'atu on report for twisting Damine Cook's legs in a tackle, sparking a fracas between the sides. The second-rower escaped scrutiny from the match review committee.

The Cowboys will host the Dolphins in two weeks, which will mark another milestone for the NRL as a new intrastate rivalry kicks off.

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The Cowboys will be hoping to replicate the fierce rivalry seen on Friday night as the Broncos scored in the final moments to secure a thrilling 18-12 derby win over the Dolphins in front of a packed crowd. Before the game, the Dolphins CEO Terry Reader had said the Broncos were now "co-tenants" of Suncorp Stadium with the new team.

This sparked some anger within Brisbane and centre Kotoni Staggs made his feelings known when scored the match winner. Staggs raced 100 metres to score the final try in the 77th minute on Friday night before becoming animated and vocal. The centre turned to the crowd and yelled "who owns Suncorp Stadium" to win over Broncos' hearts.

The Cowboys celebrate after winning the round four NRL match.
The Cowboys celebrate after winning the round four NRL match. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images) (Ian Hitchcock via Getty Images)

"I just said, 'This is our home'. There might have been an 'F' word there but I was just a bit emotional with such a good way to finish the game," Staggs said.

"We knew the battle against them was going to be about who owns Suncorp ...with another Brisbane team coming in. That just came straight to mind when I scored. It is our home. The Cowboys have been a good game in previous years and we have another now with the Dolphins."

with AAP

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