Corey Harawira-Naera’s clean on-field record dating back to under-20s will mean the Canberra forward will be free to return for the NRL’s finals despite a high shot that floored Melbourne’s Jahrome Hughes.
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.
Desperate to swing the match late with the Raiders down 22-16, Harawira-Naera charged out of the line and tried to put on a heavy hit that on resulted in contact with Hughes’ jaw.
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.”
Hughes also confirmed to social media on Friday he’d heard from a remorseful Harawira-Naera who had regularly checked on his welfare.
But there was at least some relief for the Canberra forward on Friday morning.
Harawira-Naera was handed a grade-three offence, carrying 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.
Harawira-Naera only made his debut for Penrith four years ago, but the NRL have confirmed the seven-year incident-free discount starts in under-20s.
The relatively soft ban comes after NRL legend Johnathan Thurston called for the second-rower to be rubbed out for the rest of the season.
The loss left the Raiders teetering on the edge of the top eight with three rounds to play, while it was an 18th straight win for the Storm
Harawira-Naera’s sidelining comes just days after the club agreed to loan middle forwards Corey Horsburgh and Ryan James to Canterbury on a week-by-week basis.
Coach Ricky Stuart hinted at least one of them could be back in lime green next week.
AAP
