Raiders’ Leilua cleared at NRL judiciary

Canberra centre Joseph Leilua has been found not guilty of a contrary conduct charge at the NRL judiciary.

The New Zealand international was facing a postponed hearing on Wednesday night to deal with an alleged punch thrown at Sydney Roosters prop Dylan Napa in round two.

Leilua is free to return for the Raiders but not until round five when they play Canterbury because he still has a week to serve on a dangerous throw charge, the result of a tackle involving Roosters three-quarter Shaun Kenny-Dowall in the same round-two fixture.

Meanwhile, Knights’ utility Sione Mata’utia will miss Monday’s clash with the Warriors after the tribunal found him guilty of a dangerous throw on Canberra forward Shaun Fensom in the extra-time period of their 24-24 draw on Saturday.

Penrith prop Jeremy Latimore, Tigers second-rower Chris Lawrence and Manly’s Martin Taupau and Brenton Lawrence will each miss a week after taking early guilty pleas on Tuesday.

Parramatta captain Kieran Foran also copped a contrary conduct charge for touching a referee during the Eels’ 20-6 round-three win over the Bulldogs.

He has 93 carryover points hanging over his head but is free to take on the Tigers on Monday afternoon.

Also on Wednesday night, South Sydney forward Paul Carter was seeking to have a dangerous contact charge downgraded in a bid to play against on Canterbury on Friday.

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