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Panthers stunned after Kikau gets two-game ban for shoulder charge
Panthers coach Ivan Cleary was left "shocked" by the guilty verdict for big Billy Kikau who was found guilty of a shoulder charge - and he was now confused about what exactly constituted a shoulder charge "if that's where the bar has been set".
Kikau will miss two games including Sunday's all-important clash at home against Canberra as the club chases an eighth straight victory, an amazing feat they have not achieved since 2003 when the club won the competition.
Penrith Panthers player Viliame Kikau arrives to face the judiciary on Tuesday night.Credit: AAP
The Fijian landed in hot water for his 64th-minute hit last Friday night on St George Illawarra playmaker Darren Nicholls, despite appearing to make an effort to complete the tackle with both arms.
Cleary said he was surprised Kikau was punished for the tackle.
It will not be lost on Panthers fans Dragons' fullback Matt Dufty avoided being charged altogether for what looked like a shoulder charge when stopping a first-half try.
The three-man judiciary panel of Mal Cochrane, Dallas Johnson and Sean Garlick, however, were so satisfied Kikau did shoulder charge Nicholls they took just nine minutes to find him guilty.
"We're extremely disappointed, quite shocked really," Cleary said. "I thought we had a very strong case tonight. I certainly didn't think it was a shoulder charge.
"I'm a little confused. Billy was sin-binned for a late hit but got charged with a shoulder charge.
"It's fair to say there's a bit of a grey area there around the interpretation [of a late hit]."
Kikau has become such a lethal attacking weapon for Penrith on the left edge, premiership Panthers backrower Tony Puletua was prepared to declare the 24-year-old now level with Jimmy Maloney when it came to the debate of who was the most important player at the club.
"Of course he's an important part of our team, but we'll march on," Cleary said. "We'll certainly stump up. Maybe we'll be slightly more motivated now."
High-flying lawyer Nick Ghabar represented Kikau and said there was "significant doubt" if Kikau's first contact was even with the shoulder. The player himself said he collected Nicholls with his left pectoral muscle.
NRL counsel Peter McGrath said Kikau should have done more with his left arm to try and grab Nicholls, and his contact was "forceful".
Kikau's showdown with Canberra's fearless Englishman John Bateman would have been a highlight. Liam Martin will now likely come into the 17.
Puletua, who at 112kg was one of the biggest back-rowers in the game when he played, said it was no coincidence Penrith had struggled at the start of the season while Kikau was injured.
As for who was the most important Panther in the run home to the finals, Puletua said: "I couldn't split them [Maloney and Kikau].
"Jimmy is a great leader and someone who is very important to a young team like Penrith, and he's like what Craig Gower was for us back in 2003 when we won the comp.
"But I also love watching Billy. Every time he seems to get the ball he'll create so many opportunities, whether it's running through defensive lines or getting that offload. He's got speed as well. He's a freakish player."