Three Super League players have been banned after the Challenge Cup quarter-finals in a busy disciplinary round-up that has seen the Match Review Panel rule on Jazz Tevaga’s kicking incident.
Tevaga was sent to the sin bin after kicking out at Wigan’s Liam Marshall with some suggesting that the Trinity man should have been sent off.
The Match Review Panel have now had their say with a Grade D charge handed down, meaning the Samoan international will serve a two-match ban, however, that is not the most severe disciplinary sanction handed down this week.
Wigan Warriors’ Harry Smith and Sam Walters have both been handed Grade E charges with each man set to miss the next three games through suspension in a massive blow to Matt Peet’s side.
Smith is charged with ‘unnecessary contact with a player who is or may be injured’ which relates to him pushing Tevaga as he lay on the floor after his kick at Marshall. The RFL have been consistent in recent years that players cannot make contact with players who may be injured for fear of causing further injury, and that’s why Smith has been so heavily punished.
As for Walters, he’s been handed a three-match ban for a headbutt on Jay Pitts meaning he will also miss games against Castleford, Warrington and Bradford.
Four other charges were handed down, all Grade A, with Tevaga also receiving one of those for late contact on the passer. Peta Hiku, Romain Navarrete and Chris Satae were also charged for that same offence.
Super League trio banned in latest disciplinary verdict
layer
Club
Opposition
Charge
Grade
Penalty Points
Total points in previous 12 months
Sanction if applicable
Peta Hiku
Hull KR
York Knights
Late Contact on Passer
A
1
1.75
NFA
Romain Navarrete
Catalans Dragons
St Helens
Late Contact on Passer
A
1
1.75
NFA
Chris Satae
Catalans Dragons
St Helens
Late Contact on Passer
A
1
2.25
NFA
Jazz Tevaga
Wakefield Trinity
Wigan Warriors
Late Contact on Passer
A
1
2
NFA
Jazz Tevaga
Wakefield Trinity
Wigan Warriors
Strikes – Kicks
D
12
13.25
2 matches
Harry Smith
Wigan Warriors
Wakefield Trinity
Unnecessary Contact with Player who is/may be Injured
E
18
18
3 matches
Sam Walters
Wigan Warriors
Wakefield Trinity
Strikes – Headbutting
E
18
18
3 matches
