Out-of-favour winger Mikaele Ravalawa is set for more time out of St George Illawarra's NRL side after receiving a four-match ban for verbally abusing a NSW Cup match official.
Ravalawa was sent off late in the Dragons' reserve-grade loss last Friday night, understood to have said "what the f***, c***" to a touch judge after Parramatta were awarded the game-winning try.
Ravalawa told reporters he apologised to the official after the 18-14 loss in Wollongong.
The NSWRL match review committee later referred Ravalawa directly to the judiciary, which handed the Fijian international a suspension on Thursday evening.
The ban continues a difficult year for Ravalawa, whose path back to the NRL side is now clouded further.
Playing through knee and foot issues, the 26-year-old has scored only three tries across 10 NRL games this season, overshadowed by fellow winger Zac Lomax at the resurgent Dragons.
Ravalawa was dropped from the NRL side a fortnight ago despite absences in the backline and watched on as his replacement Mat Feagai scored two tries in the upset win over Penrith.
Feagai has now scored three tries in two games on the left wing, with fellow outside back Sione Fainu also impressing after being called up for the defeat of the Panthers.
The ban means Ravalawa will be unavailable for NRL selection again until round 19, when the Dragons face Brisbane at Suncorp Stadium.
Ravalawa remains contracted at Saints through 2026 after signing a new deal midway through last season.
