Confirmed: Major club set to launch appeal

Recently there has been a lot of talk around appeals especially Matty Lees after the game against Huddersfield Giants with the prop set to miss games against Hull KR and Castleford Tigers; a crucial blow for the Saints as they battle Wigan Warriors and Leigh Leopards for a spot in the top two.

A crucial blow for the Saints, another club has recently suffered a major blow.

That is the Bradford Bulls. Former Wakefield Trinity winger Jorge Taufua received a mammoth ban this Monday.

Taufua was charged with a Grade F offence of biting.

The initial tribunal was postponed to this Monday.

The grading was reduced to a grade E and he was given a six match ban.

The club were vocal about their displeasure at this and have thus elected to appeal the ban.

This appeal will take place on 22nd August.

CEO Jason Hirst has provided the following short statement:

“With regard to Jorge Taufua’s recent six match ban, the player and club will attend an appeal hearing on Tuesday 22nd August. The club will not be making any further comment until after the hearing.”

The Bulls were unsuccessful at a recent tribunal.

Referee Cameron Worsley submitted evidence explaining how the incident unfolded with the referee report stating as follows:

“In approximately the 33rd minute of the game, Bradford Bulls were in possession of the ball coming away from their goal line approximately 15m out. More specifically, Jorge Taufua (Bradford Bulls – Number 28) was in possession of the ball and carried the ball into several Barrow Raiders tacklers, one which was Jarrod Stack (Barrow Raiders – Number 12).

“As Taufua was being tackled, I saw the arm of Stack around the neck/lower face area of Taufua, I then saw from my angle a clear bite by Taufua to the arm/wrist area of Stack, this caused Stack to react instantly.

“I was in shock at first hence taking my time to process the decision, which is why I only called time off before blowing the penalty; this is common practice for serious foul play. I had concluded I was sending off Taufua as soon as I had seen it but had to control Stack and other players first of all.

“I then spoke to my touch judge, Simon Ellis, who didn’t see anything from his angle which was understandable as I had a clear view from my angle at the opposite side.

“It is also worth noting that I saw a clear bite mark on Stacks forearm/wrist area which consisted of just lower teeth marks, this made sense as I believe Taufua had a gum shield in.

“Taufua also said he did it because Stack put his arm across his face/mouth, he clearly visualised this action too whilst I was de-escalating the situation.”