The evidence appears to be against them, but Canterbury officials are confident they will be able to defend Josh Reynolds’ tripping charge should the five-eighth come under heavy scrutiny from the match review committee.

Under the NRL rules players are able to “bring a player to ground by pulling him over the outstretched leg provided he is holding the player with both arms before there is any contact with the leg’’.

Season on the line: Referee Gerard Sutton sinbins Josh Reynolds for his contact with Ben Barba. Credit:Getty Images

Fairfax Media understands that if Reynolds is hit with a high grading, Canterbury will fight the charge – believing he made an attempt to grab Brisbane’s Ben Barba before striking him with his foot.

However, footage obtained shows it is only Reynolds’ right arm which he tries to wrap around Barba about the same time his leg makes contact with his former teammate.