St George-Illawarra winger Mikaele Ravalawa has issued an apology following his ejection from a NSW Cup match on Friday night due to dissent towards a touch judge. The incident occurred during the final moments of the game at WIN Stadium when Ravalawa reacted angrily to the awarding of a winning try to the Eels, just two minutes before the match ended. Frustrated by the decision, Ravalawa used the offensive term “c—” towards the touch judge, an action that has led to his upcoming appearance before the NSW Rugby League judiciary.
Ravalawa’s outburst came after the Dragons’ unsuccessful protest against what they believed was a knock-on before Matt Doorey scored for Parramatta. Disappointed that their pleas were ignored, Ravalawa confronted the touch judge and made the offensive remark. Following the game, Ravalawa expressed his remorse, stating, “I apologised after the game. It was not professional and I’m sorry.” His apology, however, will not prevent the disciplinary action, as the referee’s report will lead to Ravalawa facing a potential lengthy suspension.
This incident marks a challenging period for the 26-year-old Fijian international, who had recently lost his spot in Shane Flanagan’s NRL team and was playing only his second NSW Cup match of the season. The repercussions of his actions could further extend his absence from top-tier rugby league.
In other news involving St George Illawarra, captain Ben Hunt faced backlash from fans over an act perceived as poor sportsmanship during the team’s record-breaking win against the Wests Tigers. The match, held on the same Friday night, saw the Dragons decimate the Tigers 56-14. Zac Lomax was the star of the game, setting a new club record by scoring 32 points, including a hat-trick of tries and a perfect 10-from-10 kicking performance. Lomax’s impressive display came just days after playing for NSW in the State of Origin series.
Hunt, who also shone during the game with a try, four try assists, and a line break, was criticized for his conduct following one of his tries. After crossing the tryline, Hunt threw the ball into the stomach of rival player Samuela Fainu, an act seen by many as unsportsmanlike. While Hunt’s actions drew significant criticism from viewers, it overshadowed an otherwise stellar performance that demonstrated no signs of fatigue from his State of Origin exertions.
Additionally, Lomax’s evening was slightly marred by a mid-air collision with Solomon Alaimalo, resulting in Alaimalo’s injury. Lomax, focused on catching a high kick, misjudged his timing and collided with Alaimalo, who landed awkwardly and had to be taken off the field. Despite being placed on report for the incident, Lomax was cleared by the match review committee, ensuring his availability for future State of Origin selections. Lomax defended his actions, stating, “I was going for the ball. I copped a bit of a knock and I don’t really know what happened. I had eyes for the ball and went to go up for the ball and just copped a hit.”
The Dragons’ dominant victory, however, did little to console Wests Tigers coach Benji Marshall, who lamented his team’s performance, particularly in the second half. Leading 14-12 at halftime, the Tigers collapsed in the second half, conceding 44 unanswered points. Marshall described the performance as “very disappointing” and “unacceptable,” citing numerous errors and expressing sympathy for the fans who witnessed the collapse.
Overall, these incidents highlight the highs and lows within the St George Illawarra team, showcasing remarkable individual performances marred by moments of poor conduct and frustration. Ravalawa’s disciplinary issue, Hunt’s controversial act, and Lomax’s mixed fortunes underscore the complexities and pressures faced by professional rugby league players, both on and off the field. As the team navigates these challenges, their ability to maintain professionalism and sportsmanship will be crucial in the eyes of their supporters and the broader rugby league community.
