Anxious Wait for Super League Teams as Disciplinary Rulings Loom

As Monday dawns, Super League teams anxiously await the news from the RFL Match Review Panel’s disciplinary rulings. Last week, the panel opted not to ban any players from the Challenge Cup final, despite yellow cards shown to Matt Dufty and Mike Cooper. This week, however, all twelve Super League sides were in action, and the league competition has returned with full force.

On Friday night, Wigan Warriors, still missing Adam Keighran and Tyler Dupree due to suspensions, managed a narrow 10-8 victory over Castleford Tigers. The game was marked by a controversial sin-binning of Cain Robb, which proved pivotal. Elsewhere, Hull KR comfortably defeated Huddersfield Giants 32-6, though the Giants’ woes were compounded by a red card to debutant Andre Savelio and a yellow to Adam Milner. Ian Watson’s comments also suggested that Mikey Lewis may face further scrutiny from the panel.

In the other Friday night fixture, the Salford Red Devils pulled off a surprise 25-14 win over Warrington Wolves, the Challenge Cup runners-up, with Deon Cross scoring two tries for the victors. On Saturday, Hull FC secured a rare victory, defeating a struggling Leeds Rhinos side, while Leigh Leopards overcame a spirited Catalans Dragons in Catalonia. Finally, on Sunday, St Helens crushed London Broncos 52-6 at the Twickenham Stoop, with Daryl Clark crossing the line three times.

The RFL has now confirmed the Super League disciplinary charges, with four players in total being charged – two each from Castleford Tigers and London Broncos. The Broncos face the harsher consequences, as both Ethan Natoli and Rhys Kennedy are set to miss their upcoming match against Wigan Warriors. Natoli received a Grade C charge for dangerous contact, while Kennedy’s Grade B charge was at the higher end of the sanction. Castleford’s Cain Robb and Jacob Miller were both handed Grade B charges for head contact but were only fined £250 each. Interestingly, the incidents involving Savelio, Milner, and Lewis from the Hull KR vs. Huddersfield Giants match have avoided any further punishment.

“This week’s disciplinary rulings will undoubtedly have a significant impact on the upcoming Super League fixtures, as teams navigate the challenges of maintaining a healthy and available squad.”

Fans and analysts alike will be closely following the league’s approach to player safety and discipline as the season progresses.

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