Latest Rugby League News

Banned McGuire to cut out facial tactics

It marked his third offence for attacking an opponent’s face this season.

Published by
Ben Cotton

North Queensland's Josh McGuire has told the team he will stop his malicious facial tactics after copping a three-match ban for his latest conduct charge on Brisbane's David Fifita, as reported by The Sydney Morning Herald. 

It marks McGuire's third offence this season for rubbing opponent's faces after copping financial sanctions for attacking Melbourne's Cameron Munster and Manly's Dylan Walker.

The altercation with Fifita saw the match review committee hand McGuire a grade-two charge, which carried a three-match ban with an early plea or a four-game suspension if he unsuccessfully fought the suspension at the judiciary.

Knowing he would have been found guilty given he pleaded as such for his previous offences, McGuire accepted the early plea.

Former Manly and Kangaroos star Mark Carroll did not hold back in his thoughts towards McGuire, telling NRL Tonight on Friday: "I've called him the human grub because we can't have this in our game. Anyone touching anyone's eyes is an absolute disgrace."

Carroll added that Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga should ban McGuire from Test selection.

"Mal works on a no dickhead policy ... I'll say no more," he said.

However, Meninga told The Sydney Morning Herald on Friday: "He'll be in the mix, and while I like his aggression and niggle and the way he plays, he just needs to keep his hands off other players' heads. That stuff is silly."

The lock forward will miss games against Newcastle, Penrith and Canterbury and return for the final round clash of the season against Melbourne.

Published by
Ben Cotton