Both fresh off multi-game suspensions, Hull KR pair Mikey Lewis and Tevita Pangai Jr could be set to be banned once again with each man committing disciplinary misdemeanours in the loss to Warrington Wolves.
Hull KR hosted Warrington in a rare Tuesday night Super League clash and it wasn’t to be a memorable night for the hosts, at least not any positive memories, as they lost 34-28.
In truth, that scoreline does not reflect the game as 12 of KR’s points came in the dying minutes whilst Warrington were comfortable for large periods.
Mikey Lewis scored Hull KR’s first try of the night and it looked like he was set for a big game, his first since being banned after the round 19 loss to Warrington, but it wasn’t to be.
He’d kick out on the full twice, become embroiled in the dark arts battle with James Bentley, and then end the night in the sin bin after making contact with kicker Ewan Irwin.
In that instance, Lewis was only really guilty of mistiming his kick pressure but the game was gone by that point and that extra competitiveness may well cost him another game, or possibly two, on the sidelines when it comes to the disciplinary panel.
It must also be noted that Lewis showed no malice and was keen to apologise to his teenage opponent, who’s right kicking foot he caught mid-air, thus taking Irwin to ground in what was deemed a dangerous position.
Currently sitting on 7.75 penalty points, 5.75 of which he carries forward from the last game against Warrington when he copped a four-match ban, Lewis would be suspended again with just a Grade A charge.
Should he cop a Grade C charge (worth five points) or more, then he would miss at least two games.
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More Hull KR disciplinary sweats
Unfortunately for Hull KR, Mikey Lewis is not the only player that they have to fear for when it comes to the next disciplinary verdict.
Tevita Pangai Jr, who returned from a ban last time out against Catalans Dragons, could also be charged and thus banned with the Australia throwing a swinging arm towards James Bentley, who lay on the floor.
Pangai Jr could well try to argue that he thought the play was live and he was simply trying to punch out the ball but the former professional boxer may not have a case given the fact referee Liam Moore had blown the whistle.
The ex-Catalans man was handed a whopping Grade F charge for gouging earlier in the season, something from which he carries forward nine penalty points. He also boasts 0.75 from late last season meaning his tally sits at 9.75, therefore a Grade B charge (worth three points) or more would see him land a two match ban.
Teammate Sauaso Sue saw a swinging arm to the head of Wakefield’s Tray Lolesio back in June earn him a Grade D charge, worth 11 penalty points only because he was sent off otherwise it would have been 12. Such a charge for Pangai Jr would sit him down for three matches and effectively end his regular season.
As for Sue, he was penalised for making head contact with James Bentley, only avoiding a card due to the mitigation of both players being low. Given that he currently has 3.25 penalty points, a Grade B charge would earn him a ban, meaning the next disciplinary panel will be a nervy wait for the Robins.
It’s expected that the disciplinary incidents from this game will be assessed at Monday’s Super League Match Review Panel rather than the Championship, Reserve and Women’s Super League MRP later in the week. If that is the case then any bans will be in place for Saturday’s game against Toulouse. Instead, they would start from the round 25 game against Wigan Warriors.
