UPDATE: St George Illawarra coach Shane Flanagan has weighed in after Mikaele Ravalawa’s was hit with a four-game ban for abusing an official in a NSW Cup fixture.
The powerful winger fronted the NSWRL judiciary on Thursday after being marched for calling a match official a “c—” after the Eels were awarded a match-winning try.
According to The Sydney Morning Herald, Ravalawa swore and used the term “c—” in frustration when addressing the touchjudge.
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“I apologised after the game,” Ravalawa said. “It was not professional and I’m sorry.”
The referee tabled a report to the NSWRL earlier in the week and Ravalawa has now been suspended for the next month in a major blow to his spot at the Saints.
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The 26-year-old lost his place in Shane Flanagan’s NRL side in round 13 and was playing his second NSW Cup match for the season in a bid to return to the top grade.
Speaking to SEN Radio, the head coach claimed “frustration” was behind Ravalawa’s outburst and hopes to see the hulking winger back on his feet soon.
“It’s unfortunate – that’s not in Mikaele Ravalawa’s character,” Flanagan said.
“It’s a bit of frustration I feel. He will go to the judiciary, so I can’t say too much about it, but it’s not in his character to do that type of thing and it’s never happened before. I’d like to think it’s a one-off, but he will pay the price without a doubt.
“He’s got to fight his way back into first grade. That’s been the message for a while – we’ve had some young boys like Sione Finau and the Feagai twins who are really punching out some good numbers and playing some good football.
“I’ve given them an opportunity and you’ve seen over the last two weeks that they have grabbed it. Mika is in the same position … he will fight his way back.”
Ravalawa has scored 67 tries in 96 games for the Dragons since making his debut in 2019, becoming a staple of the side during a tough period.