Mikaele Ravalawa’s hopes of returning to St George Illawarra’s NRL side have taken another hit, with the winger referred straight to the NSWRL judiciary for verbal abuse.

Ravalawa was on Monday charged by the NSWRL for swearing at a touch judge in Friday night’s NSW Cup game against Parramatta.

The winger was sent from the field late in the match, after venting his frustration when the Eels’ match-winning try was awarded despite the hint of a knock on.

Ravalawa is understood to have said “what the f***, c***”, to a match official after the try was awarded to allow Parramatta to go ahead 18-14.

A remorseful Ravalawa approached the official after the contest to say sorry.

“I apologised after the game,” Ravalawa said.

“It was not professional and I’m sorry.”

The NSWRL on Monday opted against handing Ravalawa a pre-determined grade, and left it for the judiciary to decide the winger’s punishment on Thursday night.

Ravalawa can be one of the most damaging wingers in the NRL when at his best, scoring 67 tries in 96 NRL games while also topping the Dragons’ charts in 2021.

But he now finds himself on the outer in Wollongong. Contracted until the end of 2026, Ravalawa was dropped a fortnight ago despite the team fielding an already-decimated backline.

In doing so, he appears to have fallen behind Mat and Max Feagai in the pecking order, as well as Sione Finau.

“He’s been troubled with a knee and a foot injury over the last couple of months and I don’t think we’ve seen the best of Mika,” coach Shane Flanagan said at the time.

“The group has been told numerous times that I’ll give the senior players a bit of leeway, but I’ve got to put the best team out there.”

Any ban will deny Ravalawa a chance of regaining selection in the near future, with NSWRL suspensions also carrying over to the NRL.