Heading into today’s Match Review Panel, many were expecting a ban for Hull FC forward Ligi Sao but the veteran has escaped without even copping a charge.
His teammate Joe Batchelor was not as fortunate with the second-rower copping a two-game ban that ends his season, with Batchelor punished for his sin bin offence.
However, Sao was neither charged or banned for his sin bin offence that caused controversy at the time. The prop forward charged out of the line and seemed to catch Warrington winger Matty Ashton high, to the head, and with a swinging arm.
It understandably was penalised and the incident was even looked at by video referee James Vella who, according to the Sky Sports’ commentary, advised the on-field referee Chris Kendall to send Sao off.
The reasoning for that was due to the head contact, the force, and the lack of control, however, Kendall stuck with his own decision and only sin binned Sao, something that was certainly controversial.
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It would now appear that neither Kendall or Vella got it right, and that in fact Sao should not have even been penalised as he’s escaped a charge and the RFL have explained why.
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A statement to Serious About Rugby League confirmed that a sin bin was deemed sufficient because the ‘volume of contact was taken through the shoulder’ and that ‘any contact with [the] head [was] minimal’.
Ashton certainly bounced back up from the tackle but the lack of charge is perhaps more surprising than the lack of ban, but it does now mean that Sao is available to play the final two games of the season.
His Hull FC teammate Joe Batchelor was one of four Super League players banned with Daniel Suluka-Fifita (St Helens), Daniel Sarbah (Castleford Tigers) and Sam Powell (Warrington Wolves) all handed one-match bans.
Super League disciplinary as Hull FC prop Sao escapes ban
Player
Club
Opposition
Charge
Grade
Penalty Points
Total Points in previous 12 months
Sanction if applicable
Daniel Suluka-Fifita
St Helens
Leeds Rhinos
Strikes
C
5
6.25
1 match suspension
Billy Keeley
St Helens
Leeds Rhinos
Head Contact
B
3
3
Fine
Presley Cassell
Leeds Rhinos
St Helens
Late contact on passer
A
1
1.75
No further action
Toa Mata’afa
York Knights
Wakefield Trinity
Late contact on passer
A
1
1.75
No further action
Daniel Sarbah
Castleford Tigers
Catalans Dragons
Head Contact
B
3
6
1 match suspension
Joe Batchelor
Hull FC
Warrington Wolves
Head Contact
D
15
16
2 match suspension and a fine
Sam Stone
Warrington Wolves
Hull FC
Head Contact
B
3
3
Fine
Sam Powell
Warrington Wolves
Hull FC
Dangerous Contact
C
5
10.25
1 match suspension and a fine
Max Grinhaff
Castleford Tigers Reserves
Hull KR Reserves
Head Contact
B
3
3
Fine
Alex Foster
Sheffield Eagles
Widnes Vikings
Kicking
E
18
18
3 match suspension
