Hull KR prop Sauaso Sue has been handed a Grade E charge for spitting by the Match Review Panel. The charge comes following Saturday’s Challenge Cup final which the Robins won 8-6 over Warrington Wolves.
Sue was accused of spitting in the second half of the clash by Wire winger Josh Thewlis. The incident was placed on report by referee Liam Moore and replays showed the Rovers man spitting but whether there was malice or intent was hard to measure.
It has been looked at this morning by the Match Review Panel, though, and Sue has been handed a significant charge for the incident. The Grade E ban means he will have to stand in front of a operational rules tribunal this week, with Sue able to give his side of the story before decisions are made on guilt and sentencing.
If found guilty, Sue will be looking at a minimum ban of six games, with a fine potentially set to be attached. He’ll also be handed a significant number of penalty points, to ensure he will be walking a disciplinary tightrope for the rest of the season.
Of course, such decisions can be appealed and challenged, while KR could successfully argue Sue’s case to avoid punishment altogether.
Rovers have seen two other players sanctioned, too. Joe Burgess is the first after making contact with the head of Josh Thewlis in the first few minutes of the contest. He was penalised by Moore at the time but avoided further on-field sanction.
He has been handed a Grade B head contact charge, three penalty points and a fine.
James Batchelor has also been sanctioned with the Rovers man, who was playing at centre for the day, given a Grade C head contact charge. That carries five penalty points and a fine for good measure.
Warrington Wolves have avoided any sanctions.
Challenge Cup disciplinary decisions with three Hull KR players charged
Joe Burgess (Hull KR) – Grade B head contact – Penalty points: 3 – Total Penalty points: 3 – Fine
Sauaso Sue (Hull KR) – Grade E Spitting – Referred to tribunal
James Batchelor (Hull KR) – Grade C head contact – Penalty points: 5 – Total Penalty points: 5 – Fine
Soak it in, Robins 🙌
Hull KR lift the cup at Wembley for the first time since 1980 🏆#BBCRL #ChallengeCup pic.twitter.com/IE1RZ5OsIV
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) June 7, 2025
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Eric T Cat
June 9, 2025 at 1:06 pm
The charge against Burgess is ridiculous, it would be like charging a lawn mower for cutting grass, both players racing after the ball, both players on the ground, wet and slippery, yes he made contact but it was accidental, no malice, and the warning and penalty clearly sufficient.
As for the spitting, if he did it maliciously then a heavy ban is in order. The game is hard enough without nastiness like that creeping in. If it was poor aim or careless, then still a game or two wouldn’t be unreasonable, but would then need to be applied consistently.
How Warrington escape without players in report beggars belief, the head hit that gave a penalty just before Rovers try was late, head high, unnecessary , no mitigating circumstances, and looked intentional.
I know the players were scored, but I think Liam Moore deserves credit, and a good score, he did a good job, it’s a difficult and often thankless task, unlike certain otherbreferees he focused on keeping the game flowing, applying the rules evenly, making clear decisions, communicating well with the players, it wasn’t about him, and him deciding who was going to win. He left that to the teams.
John
June 9, 2025 at 9:58 pm
The head high hit you describe on a kr player near end barely disturbed Davies’s quiff as it went over the top of his head.