Reynolds charged for touching NRL ref

The NRL’s crackdown on players touching referees has continued with South Sydney halfback Adam Reynolds the latest player stung by the NRL match review committee.

Reynolds was on Monday hit with a grade one contrary conduct charge for placing the back of his hand on referee Jared Maxwell’s arm in a bid to get his attention in Friday’s loss to Brisbane.

But unlike Penrith’s Sam McKendry last week, Reynolds has no carryover points and will escape suspension with an early guilty plea, freeing him for Thursday’s match against the Wests Tigers.

Reynolds becomes the fifth player charged with coming into contact with a match official this year.

Broncos forward Adam Blair isn’t so lucky after being hit slapped with a grade one dangerous contact charge on Reynolds in the same game that could sideline him for one match.

Blair’s shoulder collected the Rabbitohs No.7 in the face after a passed ball midway through the second half, a late shot that may have broken Reynolds’ jaw for the second time this season.

Two non-similar offences, together with 49 carryover points, means the Kiwi international faces a one-game ban even if he takes the early guilty plea.

If he takes it, he will miss Brisbane’s match against Cronulla this weekend, but be free to play for New Zealand in the Anzac Test against Australia next month.

Souths forward Paul Carter is also looking at one match on the sidelines after copping a grade one tripping charge on Anthony Milford.

A non-similar offence, as well as 55 demerit points, means he too will be unable to escape the suspension with an early guilty plea.

Broncos forward Joe Ofahengaue was the only other player on the NRL charge sheet on Monday, hit with a grade one careless high tackle on Carter but will be free to take on the Sharks next Sunday.

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