Eels star sent to NRLW judiciary over biting charge
Scott Bailey |
The NRLW has been rocked by a biting incident, with Parramatta hooker Rueben Cherrington referred straight to the judiciary after her side’s win over Canterbury.
Cherrington was on Saturday hit with a charge for dangerous contact on Bulldogs forward Holli Wheeler late in the Eels’ 46-14 win on Friday night.
It’s understood no allegation was made against Cherrington on field, but the NRL’s match review committee picked up the matter on replay on Saturday morning.
Vision shows Cherrington tackled by Wheeler under the posts in the 66th minute of the match, before her mouth goes near the Bulldog’s wrist.
Wheeler looks at Cherrington after the tackle, but does not appear to take serious objection to any contact.
The incident marks the third biting matter in the NRLW, with Brisbane winger Ashleigh Werner found guilty of biting Roosters counterpart Jayme Fressard in 2023.
Werner denied the allegation, but was handed a two-match ban after also being sent off at the time.
St George Illawarra winger Madison Bartlett was also banned for one match after pleading guilty to biting in 2022.
Cherrington’s charge will not have any implications on the finals, with Gold Coast’s golden-point win over Canberra on Saturday knocking the Eels out of the top six.
But any ban could rule the Maori All Star out of contention for the Pacific Championships.
Any ban would also have the potential to flow into next season, with Cherrington signed with the Eels until the end of 2026.
Cherrington scored her fourth try of the season in the Eels’ win on Friday night, which briefly lifted Parramatta into the NRLW’s top six.
AAP
