Round 5 charges

Four players have raised the ire of the judiciary this week, with New Zealand's Monty Betham heading the list with a grade three dangerous throw charge. The Kiwis back-rower faces an eight-week suspension for his spear tackle on Wests Tiger's prop Todd Payten.

He could, however, take an early plea and sit out only six weeks. His team-mate Tevita Latu will get two matches on the sidelines if he pleads guilty as well following his citing for a careless high tackle.

This leaves the New Zealand Test squad in dire straits with the loss of key forwards Sonny Bill Williams, Tony Puletua and Joe Galuvao for Friday week's Test in Brisbane.

Meanwhile, Cowboys centre Josh Hannay has been slapped with a grade one dangerous throw charge and will miss one game if he takes the early plea. And Parra's Aaron Cannings has been dealt a grade one dangerous throw on Tonie Carroll, but will avoid suspension with an early plea.