Eto Nabuli escapes sanction for reckless high tackle

Fijian flyer Eto Nabuli will be available to make his NRL debut in a fortnight after escaping sanction for a reckless high shot during the Dragons’ World Club Series win against Warrington.

Nabuli can be considered lucky not to be penalised further for a spectacular high tackle on Wolves opponent Kevin Perry during the 18-12 victory at Halliwell Jones Stadium on Saturday morning (AEDT).

St George Illawarra was up 12-6 in the 29th minute when Warrington spread the ball from left to right, creating a three-man overlap on their right wing.

Nabuli, playing on the Dragons’ left wing, rushed up off the defensive line and leapt at the ball carrier Perry, getting horizontal in the air as his forearm and hand collected his opposite number around the neck and shoulders.

Perry lept straight to his feet and a scuffle broke out among players from both sides.

Referee Ben Thaler chose only to penalise the Dragons despite chants from the 13,000-strong crowd calling for Nabuli to be sin-binned or sent off.

The Fijian national was later charged with a grade one careless high tackle but will be available for selection when the Dragons host Melbourne Storm in the opening round of the NRL season in two weeks.

Kiwi halfback Benji Marshall also felt the wrath of the English fans when his swinging arm collected Warrington’s Gareth O’Brien high during the second half but he too escaped serious penalty.

Warrington coach Tony Smith revealed after the game he thought Nabuli’s tackle at least was worthy of a send-off.

But Dragons opposite Paul McGregor was pleased with the reaction of the referee to both incidents.

‘‘I thought the physicality of the game was good for everyone to see, the crowd enjoyed it and certainly at half-time the boys needed that 10-minute spell,’’ McGregor said.

Nabuli otherwise enjoyed another solid pre-season performance and further strengthened his case for a starting spot against the Storm on March 9.

Dragons teammate Rory O’Brien will also be in the frame to make his NRL debut following Saturday’s World Club Series appearance.

O’Brien was awarded some significant game time after fellow forward Tyson Frizell was forced from the field with concussion in the first half.

McGregor was impressed by the performances of O’Brien and Nabuli.

‘‘Rory got through some minutes and Eto, at the back, had some pressure put on him and he handled it really well so they both got a tick tonight," McGregor said.

"They obviously have to grow but the more games they play and the more time they play in conditions like that they are going to be better players.

‘‘For two young guys, I thought they did well.

‘‘Our whole nine days here has been good, the intensity the boys trained at, the energy they found in sometimes trying conditions was good and the result went our way.

‘‘I got a look at a few guys who hadn't played first grade before so that is good ahead of round one.’’

The Dragons landed back in Australia on Sunday night and will have two weeks to prepare for the season opener.