Adam Pompey had an unsuccessful visit to the judiciary on Tuesday evening, with the Warriors gun slapped with a two-game ban for dangerous contact on Briton Nikora.
Pompey was charging forward in attack when he was brought to the ground by the Sharks second-rower late in the Warriors’ 36-22 loss on Sunday afternoon.
Play did not come to a halt after the tackle was made, although the match review committee recognised that Pompey had lifted his knee into Nikora while being tackled.
TEAMS: Flanagan explains son’s return for must-win Dragons clash
READ MORE: ‘Don’t pay attention’: Voss brushes of lingering criticism
READ MORE: ‘Not easy’: Panthers gun admits sympathy for Galvin
Nikora immediately fell out of the tackle and headed over to trainers, holding his nose.
Sharks premiership winner Michael Ennis was quick to note Nikora’s departure in the back of play, pointing out the 28-year-old had previously broken his nose.
Adam Pompey is pinged for contact on Briton Nikora. Fox League
“Nikora is just back from a nose issue that he suffered during the All Stars game,” Ennis said on Fox League.
“He has just copped a heavy bump from Adam Pompey and is holding that nose. He is now with the trainer.”
Watch the 2026 NRL season live and free on Nine and 9Now.
Nikora had missed the Sharks’ round-four clash due to a broken nose, with the club sidelining him for one week.
Although Nikora was forced to the sidelines after the incident, he has been named by coach Craig Fitzgibbons to play against the Roosters this week.
Pompey was initially hit with a one-game ban for the incident, but he challenged it.
On Tuesday, the judiciary found him guilty of a grade-two charge.
Pompey will now miss the side’s matches against the Storm and Titans.