Gordon Lagaali suspended by four weeks over lifting tackle

The Boiled Lollies have been forced to make plenty of changes to tackle an in-form Albury outfit at Conolly Rugby Complex on Saturday.

Gordon Lagaali will miss their next four games after being suspended by the Southern Inland judiciary.

The number eight was cited over the tackle on Semisi Rokodinono that Travis Taylor was red carded for in the win over Leeton.

Taylor was cleared by the judiciary after a case of mistaken identity but Lagaali was found guilty of a lifting tackle.

With the incident graded as low range, Lagaali was looking at six weeks but had it reduced.

Wagga City coach James Curgenven said the club was frustrated by the findings.

"It is a bit frustrating to say the least," Curgenven said.

"We just have to do what we can with it.

"We don't agree with the sanction but there is not much we can do about it."

However Eddie Lagaali was cleared for striking following the incident against Leeton after no conclusive evidence was found.

Rob Cleland comes in at number eight, Nick Gleeson is back into the front row for Mickey Tuilau while schoolboy Robert Ropeti will start in the second row in place of Grant Roben.

Jayden Stanton is also still out after receiving a concussion blue card in the loss to Ag College a fortnight ago.

Wagga City sit nine points clear of the Steamers in third place on the ladder, but their rivals have won three straight games to move into fifth.

With that in mind, Curgenven sees the clash as a danger game.

"They are going to be full of confidence and with the likes of Blake Le Cornu and Liam Krautz coming back into the squad they are going to be very strong," he said.

"They've both got of lot of rep experience and a lot of ability so we have to make sure that one we stop Krautzy from getting over the gain line and then trying to make sure Blake doesn't make too many breaks.

"They are looking really good and the likes of Tom Boyle carries really well for them and Sam Allen is back from the UK, who is a real quick winger so we can't give him any space.

"We are going to have our hands full this weekend."

After a slow start last week, Curgenven is hoping the side can jump out of the blocks better and stay switched on for the entire game.

Meanwhile Mesulame Navakayala will miss Leeton's clash with Ag College on Saturday after receiving two yellow cards in the loss to Wagga City.

It is his second suspension of the season.

Aggies head into the clash without Gabe Brown (elbow), with Pat Lemmich set to start in the front row in his place.

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