Judiciary results

New Zealand Warriors prop Ruben Wiki became the first player this season to mount a successful challenge at the NRL judiciary, seeing his eight-week ban for kneeing thrown out.

Wiki and the Warriors were big winners in a dramatic night at the judiciary, with the forward's grade-five kneeing charge from last Sunday's loss to Brisbane quickly thrown out.

Wiki's legal team fought the charge on two fronts: that three similar events, including two this season, had incurred more lenient penalties; and that the charge of dropping knees wasn't accurate because Wiki had slid into the tackle against Brisbane forward Corey Parker.

The New Zealand international has a long history with the judiciary, drawing his 12th charge tonight in a 13-year career.

Meanwhile, Billy Slater's return from a lengthy suspension has lasted just 25 minutes, with the Melbourne back banned for a further two matches by the NRL judiciary tonight.

Slater was found guilty of a grade-one dangerous throw on Sydney Roosters centre Ryan Cross, and he had enough carry over points to warrant a two-game ban. He had just returned from a seven-week ban for kicking West Tigers prop John Skandalis, and held slim hopes of an State of Origin recall for Queensland.