Look at them Go look at them Kikau...
6.40pm: Ghabar suggests Kikau tried to roll Waerea-Hargreaves over onto his back and help cushion the fall, but this action is impeded by the presence of Luai in the tackle.
Ghabar shows a freeze frame of the moment Waerea-Hargreaves' elbow contacts the ground, noting his head and neck is still well above the ground, arguing this effectively means there was never any real danger of Waerea-Hargreaves' head or neck making first contact with the ground.
6.30pm: Ghabar argues the first contact from Kikau was around the hips, and there was a subsequent attempt from Wearea-Hargreaves to get to ground as quickly as possible. Because he was effectively diving forward this creates the impression of a lifting tackle rather than an actual lifting tackle, according to Ghabar.
Ghabar says Jarome Luai joining the tackle and adding his own body weight to the downward trajectory of Wearea-Hargreaves exaggerates the upward swing of Wearea-Hargreaves' legs. Kikau maintained his grip over Wearea-Hargreaves but attempted to roll him onto his back, Ghabar says.
Kikau penalised for lifting tackle
Kikau penalised for lifting tackle
6.25pm: In summation and after extensive replays, McGrath suggests all three key components of a dangerous throw have been met. Nick Ghabar is now commencing the defence.
6.20pm: McGrath argues that Wearea-Hargreaves used his skill and experience to lessen the degree of danger by getting his arm out to brace for impact and used the ball-carrying arm to tuck and roll. McGrath argues that does not negate the fact that Kikau put JWH into a dangerous position.
Kikau himself did nothing to arrest Wearea-Hargreaves' momentum, McGrath argues. He says the overall danger was also lessened by the fact the tackle started from a lower position than it may have otherwise due to Wearea-Hargreaves fighting to find the ground. This also does not negate the fact Kikau put JWH in a dangerous position.
6.10pm: NRL Counsel Peter McGrath says he aims to prove the three necessary elements of a dangerous throw - that there was elevation, that there was an unacceptable risk of injury to the attacking player and that Kikau in effecting the tackle failed to execute the proper level of care to avoid that risk.
6pm: The hearing is just starting now. The three-man panel is Sean Garlick and Ben Creagh (in the room) and Dallas Johnson (remotely). Viliame Kikau's representative Nick Ghabar is in the room and Kikau is dialled in remotely. Ghabar confirms the not-guilty plea and the footage of the tackle is now being played.
https://www.nrl.com/news/2020/10/06/live-blog-viliame-kikau-judiciary-hearing/
