Souths Sydney lose yet another NRL player as Jacob Host cops ban over hit on Panther Brad Schneider after 42-10 loss

Undermanned and under-pressure South Sydney are set to lose yet another player after the match review committee offered Jacob Host a two-match ban.

It comes as Penrith centre Izack Tago prepares to miss next week’s clash against Canterbury for the hip-drop tackle that injured Rabbitohs fullback Jye Gray in the Panthers’ 42-12 win on Thursday night.

Second-rower Host went to the sin bin late in the second half at Accor Stadium after taking Brad Schneider’s legs out as Penrith’s replacement halfback attempted a kick.

The match review committee has been particularly vigilant in penalising interference on kickers’ legs this season, with Wests Tigers halfback Aidan Sezer and Manly prop Josh Aloiai also charged in recent weeks.

With an early guilty plea for his grade-two dangerous contact charge, Host will miss the last-placed Bunnies’ upcoming clashes against St George Illawarra and North Queensland.

He risks also sitting out against Parramatta in round 12 by pleading his case at the NRL judiciary.

The ban comes as it’s expected Souths will offer Wayne Bennett a three year $2.5 million coaching contract starting next year after Jason Demetriou was sacked by the club on Tuesday.

Promising forward Tallis Duncan appears the likeliest candidate to replace Host for the next fortnight, having been selected as 18th man for the past two games.

Host is set to join a long list of outs at Souths, who also lost Gray (ankle) and halfback Dean Hawkins (quad) to injuries in the club’s first game since firing coach Jason Demetriou on Tuesday.

Campbell Graham, Lachlan Ilias, Tyrone Munro, Tevita Tatola and Richie Kennar are also out injured, but Latrell Mitchell is due back from suspension to face the Dragons next weekend.

Tago went to the sin bin early on Thursday for his own misdemeanour, opening the door for the hosts to score their only two tries of the night.

Rabbitohs interim coach Ben Hornby was displeased with the centre’s shot on his young fullback.

“You saw it as well, didn’t you? You can’t do it,” he said.

Tago has been charged with grade-two dangerous contact and can accept a one-game ban, or risk sitting out of the Magic Round clash against the Warriors as well if he challenges the charge.

Paul Alamoti appears a certainty to come into the 17 after being called in during the two weeks prior to round nine.