Siua Wong will be sidelined for up to six weeks due to an MCL issue, according to the Sydney Roosters.
On Sunday afternoon, North Queensland Cowboys utility Karl Lawton struck the second-rower with a cannonball-style tackle.
Remarkably, Lawton was not punished or reported for the deadly tackle even though Wong had left the field and was unable to return.
The NRL’s match review comittee rectified that on Monday morning by hitting Lawton with a dangerous contact charge that will see him spend a fortnight on the sidelines with an early guilty plea, or three weeks if he fights and loses at the judiciary panel.
Wong though will miss six weeks after suffering what has been described by the Roosters as a ‘moderate grade MCL injury’.
In better news for the tri-colours, Sandon Smith should be fit for the Roosters’ next game against the Wests Tigers after a bye this weekend, with scans clearing the five-eighth of any structural damage. He does have bone bruising however.
Wong will probably miss games against the Melbourne Storm in Round 21, the Manly Sea Eagles in Round 22, the Wests Tigers in Round 18, the St George Illawarra Dragons in Round 19, the Cronulla Sharks in Round 20, and the Melbourne Storm in Round 21. He is most likely to travel north to play the Dolphins in Round 23.
He will probably be replaced by Salesi Foketi, who will move from lock to the second row. Victor Radley is expected to return, which means he will take his spot at lock.
