St George Illawarra firebrand Tariq Sims faces a nervous wait on the NRL charge sheet on Sunday after being put on report for a high shot against Canterbury’s Kieran Foran.
Sims was cited for whacking Foran after he passed the ball in the 38th minute of the Dragons’ comeback win at WIN Stadium on Saturday night.
Foran momentarily stayed down before being brought off for a concussion test, only to withdraw from the game due to a toe injury.
Any charge from the match review committee would result in Sims staring at a maximum two-game ban, primarily due to loading.
It’s the second time this year the NSW State of Origin forward could face time on the sideline, having also been rubbed out for one match in round two.
That was also for a hit on Wests Tigers playmaker Josh Reynolds that attracted a grade-one dangerous contact charge.
Dragons coach Paul McGregor is hopeful his key second-rower can avoid more time off the field, having also missed four games due to injury.
Saturday’s contest was his first since returning from a wrist issue.
“I don’t know. I thought it was chesty, but we’ll have to wait and see. They put it on report. We’ll find out,” McGregor said.
“It’s not great, he hasn’t played a lot of footy this year, Taz. And you don’t want them players not available for the team. Fingers crossed he’s okay.”
The Dragons coach also hit back at suggestions skipper Cameron McInnes is growing disgruntled with his recent move from hooker to lock.
For the second week in a row, Ben Hunt started in the No.9 jumper, forcing McInnes to play out of position in the No.13.
“All Cam wants to do it win,” McGregor said.
“Cam’s comfortable playing a role for the team at 13 and same as Benny. Benny wants to play seven, but he’s playing nine for the team.
“And that’s what the team needs right now.
“We’re missing some experienced players in the middle third of the field that aren’t with us at the moment, and they’re doing a very good job as a combination there.
“It’s going to stay there because at the moment Jack (de Belin) not available, we let James (Graham) go, so we need a bit of experience. It’s that simple.”
