Sam Burgess gets one game for Thaiday hi

[TITAN PETE]

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By Liam FitzGibbon
AAP
6:11am Tue 29th October, 2013


England prop Sam Burgess faces only a one-match ban for the high tackle that floored Kangaroos forward Sam Thaiday in their Rugby League World Cup clash.

The South Sydney NRL star was placed on report for a swinging arm that forced a dazed Thaiday from the field in England's 28-20 loss to Australia in Cardiff on Saturday.

Some pundits felt Burgess should have been sent off over the incident while there were suggestions he could receive a suspension of several games to threaten his involvement in the rest of the tournament.

However a specially convened international match review panel on Monday deemed the incident was worthy of a one-game ban, meaning the 24-year-old would miss England's second game of the tournament against Ireland at Huddersfield on Saturday.

England have until Tuesday morning to decide whether to appeal or accept the suspension.

It appears likely they will accept it and Burgess' place could be taken by Canterbury's James Graham, set to return after being dropped for the game against the Kangaroos.

Burgess has a poor disciplinary record in the NRL and was suspended three times last season but domestic records are not taken into account at the World Cup.

The incident at the Millennium Stadium has left tough Brisbane star Thaiday in doubt for Saturday's Group A match against Fiji in St Helens.

Burgess was making his first England appearance for three years on Saturday.

He created history as he lined up alongside twins Tom and George Burgess, the first time three brothers had appeared in the same England side.

Meanwhile, Wakefield hooker Paul Aiton could miss Papua New Guinea's group B game against Samoa in Hull next Monday after also being given a one-match ban.

He too was found guilty of a grade A high tackle on fullback Morgan Escare in the 76th minute of the Kumuls' 9-8 defeat by France in Hull on Sunday but PNG also have the right to appeal.

[DIEHARD]

Very lucky to just miss one game, one pool game!