NSW's State of Origin hopes have suffered another massive blow with forward Greg Bird facing a ban of up to eight matches for a dangerous throw in Sunday's 26-12 Test loss to New Zealand.
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With just two matches before the teams for the Origin opener on May 27 are chosen, Bird will miss the first two matches of the series if he enters an early plea to the grade two charges and accepts a six-match ban.
Bird's record of three previous dangerous throw charges in the past two years has resulted in the heavy suspension.
He missed last season's opening Origin due to suspension for a dangerous throw and he was was also charged with a dangerous throw on Nate Myles in Origin III.
Bird's Kangaroos' teammate Sam Thaiday has been charged with dangerous contact to the head and the neck of New Zealand international Martin Taupau. He faces one week on the sidelines. Melbourne Storm's Tongan international, Felise Kaufusi, is facing a one-to-twe week ban after being charged with dangerous contact on Samoan prop Josh McGuire.
Bulldogs five-eighth Josh Reynolds also faces a one-to-two week ban for his attempted trip on Tariq Sims in the City-Country game on Sunday but was cleared of a shoulder charge.
