South Sydney star Sam Burgess is set to come under scrutiny from the NRL match review committee over an alleged ''squirrel grip'' as suspension and injuries threaten the Rabbitohs' and Roosters' charge for the minor premiership.
The Roosters lost NSW Origin back-rower Boyd Cordner until late in the play-offs after he underwent surgery on Sunday for an ankle injury expected to sideline him for six to eight weeks and Souths are also battling injuries.
However, the absence of star fullback Greg Inglis (knee) and five-eighth John Sutton (ankle) could be compounded by a suspension for Burgess over the 58th minute incident in last Friday night's 26-8 loss to Melbourne.
Doubt: Sam Burgess' game is up for review on Monday. Photo: Getty Images
Images posted on social media show Burgess appearing to place his hand between the legs of Storm centre Will Chambers in a tackle and the former Queensland Reds star lay on the ground afterwards.
Advertisement
Chambers is not believed to have made a complaint but any incident in which a player is injured is flagged for the match review committee to look at on Monday.
If the panel believes there is a case against Burgess, he may be charged with contrary conduct.
Out: John Sutton is helped off field. Photo: Getty Images
The Rabbitohs insist they will not rush Inglis or Sutton back from injury against Manly on Friday night at Gosford - despite suffering their third loss in four matches.
The losses to St George Illawarra, North Queensland and Melbourne meant Souths surrendered the competition lead to the Roosters, who are two points ahead of their arch rivals after holding out Canberra 28-22 on Saturday night.
The win came at a cost for the Roosters and, although Cordner was cleared of a broken ankle on Sunday, he underwent surgery and is not expected to be fit to play until the week before the grand final at the earliest.
The Roosters-Souths match in the last round had been expected to decide the minor premiership but a more serious concern for the Rabbitohs is the prospect of missing out on a top-two berth and home game in the opening weekend of the finals as the Storm and Sea Eagles are just three points behind.
If Manly beat Souths on Friday night and Melbourne continue their winning form, an equally significant match may be the clash between the Sea Eagles and Storm in round 25.
Manly lost Test back-rower Anthony Watmough in Sunday's 27-12 defeat of the Warriors with a knee injury but he is expected to return for the match against Melbourne at Brookvale Oval.
Canterbury can also keep their top four hopes alive by beating Gold Coast on Monday night at ANZ Stadium, but sixth-placed Cronulla are now all but out of contention after losing 18-14 to Newcastle on Saturday night.
The Raiders loss to the Roosters has left them on 24 points and battling to remain in the top eight - particularly if the Titans beat the Bulldogs, while the Warriors loss to Manly may prove costly.
Read more:
http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...souths-woes-20130811-2rq9f.html#ixzz2bfPsMlJR
