Canberra Raiders lock Joe Tapine was dreading facing teammate Josh Papalii in an end-of-season Test, but his worry might have been for nothing.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Tapine could miss New Zealand's Tests against Australia and the Great Britain Lions after he was charged with a grade-one high tackle in the NRL grand final.
He caught Sydney Roosters lock Victor Radley high in the 19th minute of the 14-8 loss at Sydney Olympic Park on Sunday.
He'll only miss one game if he takes the early guilty plea, which would see him unavailable to play the Kangaroos in Wollongong on October 25.
But if he fights it and loses he could also miss their first Test against the Lions at Eden Park the following week. They play a second game against the Lions on November 9.
Tapine said he would make himself available if picked.
If he isn't selected then he would miss the start of the NRL season.
The 25-year-old has played nine Tests for New Zealand and the grand final was his 100th NRL game.
Papalii (pectoral) could also be absent from the Kangaroos-Kiwis clash due to injury, despite being selected on Monday.
"Hopefully he doesn't play for Australia because we've got to verse them," Tapine joked.
"Papa's a beast man. He carries this forward pack and I love playing with him every week, it's just love for the bro."