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Hull KR star’s ban chances assessed with international games at risk

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After Hull KR star Peta Hiku was handed a Grade E charge yesterday, we’ve looked at what length ban history suggests he will cop.

The Match Review Panel delivered a very controversial verdict to charge the Hull KR centre with ‘Unnecessary contact with a player who is or may be injured’, an offence put to him as a Grade E charge.

Sentencing guidelines for a Grade E charge range from three to five matches and with Hiku being the first Super League player called up to the New Zealand test squad since 2017, a guilty verdict means he will miss out.

The offence in question came in the 15th minute when Hiku would lift the shoulder of the prone Junior Nsemba, seemingly in a manner of great concern after the 20-year-old had stayed motionless for several seconds.

However, intent is not always considered in these cases with the RFL steadfast on the issue that you should not touch a player who is or may be injured, hence the heavy sentencing guidelines imposed.

To assess the Hull KR man’s possible chances of either escaping a ban or to determine what length of suspension he would be handed if found guilty, we’ve picked out three similar cases from the past two seasons.

What sort of ban could Hull KR star Peta Hiku face?

The oldest of the three cases that we’ve looked at relates to former Hull KR captain Shaun Kenny-Dowall who befell the exact same charge after a game against Leigh Leopards on March 3rd, 2023.

As in all three cases referenced, the precedent for such a charge harks back to Hakim Miloudi’s eight-game ban after a Grade F charge in 2021 for moving an injured player. That was referenced within the notes of each case.

Kenny-Dowall described the incident as a “split-second reaction” but pled guilty after “being reminded by the Chair that the pre-season education to clubs specifically covered this charge”.

That guilty plea earned him a four-game ban which was the same as what Tariq Sims earned earlier this season against Hull FC. In Sims’ case, the actions were described as “aggressive pulling of an opponent”, something that is clearly not the case for Hiku.

A trend of four-game bans is occurring and that was no different for Paul Vaughan in 2023, the only man on the list to plead not guilty.

Facing off against St Helens, Vaughan was adjudged to have picked up Sione Mata’utia but with the circumstances being that the Wire man felt the Saints player was time-wasting. Mata’utia would even provide evidence on behalf of Vaughan explaining that he was “playing for time”, yet the Warrington man still landed a four-game ban.

With that, it seems likely that a four-game ban could be coming Peta Hiku’s way but there is one possible saving grace for the Hull KR man.

In each set of case notes, a line would seemingly apply to Hiku’s situation that could help him evade punishment.

“In very limited circumstances a player may render immediate physical assistance to another player who is obviously seriously injured.”

With initial verdicts from the commentators, fans and seemingly players, being that Junior Nsemba was knocked out cold, Hiku’s action to move the arm of the 20-year-old could be viewed as rendering immediate assistance.

His intent cannot be questioned, but the RFL guidelines are so strict on this matter that it’s hard to see an escape for the Hull KR man outside of this one possible ‘loophole’.

Case details sourced from the RFL

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