- Peta Hiku faces long suspension for injury incident
- He could be ruled out to play for New Zealand
Peta Hiku risks being suspended for the entire New Zealand Pacific Championship campaign for a bizarre charge in the Super League grand final.
The former NRL star was referred straight to Super League justice on Monday after touching the arm of an injured player while checking on his welfare.
But Hiku has shown no sympathy for the act, accused of “making unnecessary contact with a player who is or may be injured.”
If convicted, the former Manly, Warriors and North Queensland halfback would be suspended for between three and five games.
The ban would also apply to the Pacific Championship and would exclude Hiku from the entire tournament for the Kiwis.
The Hull KR center’s attack comes after he moved the shoulder of Wigan’s Junior Nsemba after the striker appeared knocked out in a tackle.
After being involved in the punch, Hiku appeared to briefly raise Nsemba’s shoulder to look him in the face, before immediately calling for medical help.
Nsemba was taken off the field, but passed a HIA and then returned.
Peta Hiku (second from left) faces a lengthy ban after being referred to court for touching the shoulder of Wigan’s Junior Nsemba (with the ball) after being injured in a big hit.
A ban would keep Hiku (pictured carrying the ball in the Super League grand final) out of international duty for New Zealand in the upcoming Pacific Championship.
New Zealand are already facing a availability crisis for the Pacific Championship, ahead of their first match against Australia on November 27 in Christchurch.
Shaun Johnson was called up from retirement to replace the injured Jahrome Hughes, while Hiku became the first Super League call-up since 2017.
Keano Kini, Casey McLean and Will Warbrick are among the non-international full-backs already in the Kiwis squad.
Meanwhile, former Parramatta Eels star Jarryd Hayne Fiji’s squad for rugby league’s upcoming Pacific Championship just four months after being released from jail when his rape conviction was overturned.
The 36-year-old will act as a mentor to the team after being invited to their camp for the tournament, which begins on Friday.
Hayne played 120 games for Fiji from 2008 to 2018 and also played five games for the national rugby sevens team, and described his new position as “awesome” on Monday.
Former Parramatta Eels star Jarryd Hayne has returned to top-flight football by joining the Fiji team for rugby league’s upcoming Pacific Championship.
“Yesterday, on the way to the airport, watching that documentary of the 2008 (Rugby League World Cup) team, following us around the village, it’s been a long journey… 16 to 17 years,” he said.
‘From the army barracks until now we are in five-star hotels. We have come a long way. It’s always good to remember the past.’
Fiji coach Wise Kativerata contacted Hayne after he was released from prison and the appointment developed from there.
“I called him just to talk to him and see how he was doing,” Kativerata told the Sydney Morning Herald.
“I wanted to make sure he was okay. He was happy to hear from us.
‘After a while I told him about rugby league in Fiji and how it really needed a boost.
“Then I asked him to come and help with the team because I knew it would be good for him and for us.
“At first he thought I was joking.”
The NRL approved Hayne’s work with the team.
