Melbourne Storm back-rower Felise Kaufusi is set to face the match review committee after laying a concerning hit on Parramatta Eels second-rower Ryan Matterson during a bruising encounter at Bankwest Stadium tonight.
Matterson was knocked out and attended to by club medical staff after Kaufusi collected the former Rooster and Tiger high in the second half.
Kaufusi appeared to strike Matterson with his right elbow as the back of the Eels star's head thudded into the Bankwest Stadium turf in the 46th minute, prompting referee Ashley Klein to place him on report.
Matterson then failed his HIA and therefore wasn't allowed to return to the field.
"He's in trouble, Matterson. Real trouble," Storm legend Billy Slater said on Nine's coverage.
Rugby league guru Phil Gould grimaced at the incident.
"It didn't look too good," Gould said.
"You see Kaufusi come down on top of Matterson. It's a glancing blow. It'd be hard to call it deliberate."
Slater added: "He certainly clipped him on the way down."
Nine sideline reporter Danika Mason provided an uplifting update after the match.
https://twitter.com/NRLonNine/status/1372502352872275972
"At the very end of the match he was up and about," Mason said.
"He walked onto the field at full-time, he congratulated his teammates, which was a good. He also shook the hands of the Storm players.
"He'll have to wait and go through the concussion protocols to see if he'll be fit to play next week.
"Felise Kaufusi certainly awaits an anxious wait to see whether he is charged by the match review committee, and if he is, just how severe the punishment will be."
The Storm are set to face Penrith at Panthers Stadium next Thursday night, while the Eels are due for a clash with the Sharks at Bankwest Stadium next Saturday night.
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