Castleford Tigers star’s ‘unhappiness’ vindicated by Leeds Rhinos disciplinary verdict

Leeds Rhinos have been struck with a devastating blow with captain Cameron Smith and prop Justin Sangare both banned after their game against Castleford Tigers which means both are set to miss the game against Warrington Wolves.

Smith has been banned for dangerous contact against Castleford in Rivals Round and the Leeds Rhinos skipper will be joined by teammate Justin Sangare on the sidelines against Warrington Wolves on Friday night after he picked up a ban himself.

The prop forward was banned for head contact in a moment that was looked at by the video referee but saw Sangare in the game cleared of any wrong doing.

However, the supposed ‘unhappiness’ of one Castleford Tigers star at the decision has been seemingly vindicated by the Match Review Panel.

Leeds Rhinos star banned for tackle that left Westerman “not happy”

According to Sky Sports commentator Mark Wilson, Castleford Tigers star Joe Westerman and the man who suffered the hit, was “not happy” about the challenge.

Wilson said: “He’s holding his face here, Joe Westerman, he’s not happy with the challenge that came in. The physios have come on here so the referee will stop play. There was heavy contact wasn’t it from Sangare.”

Jon Wells responded by explaining why he wasn’t carded: “Westerman mixing up his ball play and he’s running, he’s so valuable, so vital to this Castleford Tigers attack.

“Well and defence for that matter. It’s Westerman who carries, and it’s just a head clash. It’s a head clash with Sangare. But there is a direction, there is a change here in the interpretation.”

Wilson wasn’t convinced, asking of the tackle from the Leeds Rhinos star: “Well is it his head or is it his shoulder job?”

Wells though doubled down on his belief: “I think, first replay showed me head on head. But it is the tackle’s responsibility to make sure that he’s not endangering the ball carrier I’m looking at that, I think I said that’s head on head contact. Interesting, the referee is having a look at this but no penalty.”

Meanwhile, Wilson also doubled down on the belief that the Tigers weren’t pleased with the call either: “Well, Westerman are not overly happy with that Castleford are not overly happy with that.”