Overview

• A panel led by Geoff Bellew unanimously upheld the grade-two shoulder charge for Wighton’s hit on Cronulla’s Toby Rudolf, increasing his suspension from three to four matches.
• Wighton’s bid to downgrade the offence to a grade-one charge was rejected after he chose not to give evidence at the 75-minute hearing.
• He will miss games against Brisbane, Gold Coast, Parramatta and St George Illawarra before returning in Round 27 against the Sydney Roosters.
• South Sydney remain bottom of the NRL ladder on an eight-match losing streak while grappling with a season-long injury crisis.
• Defence arguments citing medical reports and referee testimony were overruled by NRL counsel’s assertion that the tackle met the league’s toughened head-safety and shoulder-charge standards.