Wade Graham will need the assistance of the NRL judiciary if he is to make his State of Origin debut next week.
The Sharks back rower was named in the New South Wales side on Tuesday evening, just minutes after he was placed on report in his sides win over the North Queensland Cowboys.
The match review committee decided to take action for Graham’s high tackle on Cowboys half Johnathan Thurston in the closing stages of Monday night’s match.
Graham was leveled with a Grade One careless high tackle charge, which rules him out of the decider.
Blues' Wade Graham could miss Origin II after being charged with a grade-one careless high tackle. (AAP) Source: AAP
Usually in this instance an early guilty plea would downgrade the charge enough for Graham not to miss a game; however 33 carry over points from a similar offence last season means Graham will have to fight the charge in order to make his long awaited Origin debut.
It was a roller coaster of emotions for the 25-year-old who went from the ecstasy of the Sharks tenth straight victory and his Origin selection, to learning that his place in Laurie Daley's side was in jeopardy.
Graham will leave New South Wales camp to return to Sydney and face the judiciary on Wednesday evening.
Cronulla forward Wade Graham's Origin involvement is in doubt (AAP) Source: AAP
“First being selected, now being charged, it’s kind of hard to process at the moment.
"Obviously disappointed, I have to go back down to Sydney now. That will be tomorrow night, get back down to Sydney and see how we go”, said Graham.
Graham was the only change made by New South Wales coach Laurie Daley, with the Sharks star coming in for the injured Boyd Cordner.
NSW Origin II team
- Matt Moylan
- Blake Ferguson
- Michael Jennings
- Josh Morris
- Josh Mansour
- James Maloney
- Adam Reynolds
- Aaron Woods
- Robbie Farah
- James Tamou
- Wade Graham
- Josh Jackson
- Paul Gallen (capt)
- Dylan Walker
- Greg Bird
- David Klemmer
- Andrew Fifita
Development players: Bryce Cartwright and Jack Bird
