Leeds Rhinos coach Brad Arthur has had his say on the dangerous contact charge which will keep Joe Shorrocks out of action for the next two games.
The forward, on loan from Salford Red Devils, made his Rhinos debut as a substitute during last Saturday’s 34-0 win at Hull FC, but will miss Thursday’s visit to Huddersfield Giants and the home game against Catalans Dragons seven days later.
He was placed on report by referee Aaron Moore following a tackle on Hull prop Liam Watts and subsequently handed five penalty points after the incident was deemed a grade C offence by the RFL’s match review panel.
That took him to 15.5 points in the last 12 months, earning him a two-game suspension and fine.
Ironically, some of Shorrocks’ penalty points were imposed after he was sin-binned playing for Salford against Rhinos in Betfred Super League round two, five months ago.
On that occasion he was originally suspended for two matches, increased to three after a failed appeal.
Leeds Rhinos’ Brad Arthur on Joe Shorrocks’ ban
Arthur feels Rhinos’ latest recruit has been treated harshly. He said: “I didn’t think the tackle was that bad.
“He made contact under the short line where we get told we have to make initial contact, so I think the two-game suspension is pretty harsh, [though] I get that he has got points already hanging over.”
Rhinos decided not to appeal and Arthur added: “We thought it was too big a risk to turn it into three games, but that doesn’t change my view – I feel like the grading is a bit harsh.”
Joe Shorrocks on his uncertain future
Meanwhile, Shorrocks has confirmed he remains a Salford player, but his long-term future is uncertain.
His loan at Leeds is until the end of this year and he stressed: “I am just taking it as it comes, just seeing what happens.
“I don’t know what’s going to happen with teams coming up [into Super League] or teams going down.
“I have still got a contract with Salford next year so, at this moment in time I am a Salford player, but if they get relegated, who knows?”
