South Sydney forward Sam Burgess is facing two weeks on the sidelines after he was charged by the NRL match review committee on Monday with a Grade 1 Contrary Conduct.
Burgess was cited by the match review committee following an incident involving Melbourne’s Will Chambers in the 68th minute of the Rabbitohs' 26-8 loss to the Storm at AAMI Park.
The Grade 1 Contrary Conduct charge carries a base penalty of 125 points, but Burgess’ four prior offences means he will miss two matches even with an early guilty plea.
If Burgess takes the early guilty plea he will miss Friday night’s Round 23 match against Manly Sea Eagles and the Round 24 clash with Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs.
The English forward would have to successfully fight the charge at the NRL judiciary to play in Round 23.
Burgess and South Sydney have until midday on Tuesday to enter a plea.
South Sydney play Manly on Friday night at Bluetongue Stadium in a top-four blockbuster. Tickets available here.