Newcastle's NSW flyer Akuila Uate was too distraught to talk after his State of Origin hopes were placed in doubt when he was put on report for a dangerous tackle in the Knights' 17-16 golden point NRL loss to the Wests Tigers on Monday night.
Blues coach Ricky Stuart, who has already lost Michael Jennings, Josh Dugan, Kade Snowden and Brett Morris to injury, must now consider calling up another winger, with Uate, who snubbed reporters after the game, unlikely to escape sanction after lifting Tigers centre Tim Simona between the legs and dumping him on his back, seven minutes from time.
Penrith's Luke Lewis was charged with a similar offence, ironically against Newcastle, last year and was ruled out of the second Origin clash in Brisbane by the NRL's match review committee, and Uate will find out on Tuesday if he will face a similar punishment.
Knights coach Rick Stone believed Uate should have been penalised, but says he felt a decision to ban the Fijian-born star would be harsh.
Robbie Farah's field-goal with three minutes of extra time remaining sealed the win for the Tigers, their first in this manner since round five in 2007.
The victory moves Sheens' side to seventh spot on the ladder with defeat for the Knights keeping them in ninth position.
