Leeds Rhinos confirm appeal decision as footage revealed

Leeds Rhinos have confirmed that they will be appealing the controversial suspension picked up by Cameron Smith against Castleford Tigers.

The Leeds Rhinos skipper was surprisingly suspended for a late hit on Castleford star Danny Richardson during the Rhinos’ Easter win over their local rivals.

The news came as a surprise with many believing the contact was soft and it put a dampener on the positivity the result generated for the club. Leeds used the fixture to get back on track after consecutive defeats to rivals St Helens as Lachie Miller and Paul Momirovski both shone. Both new signings picked up two tries each in a dominant second half that gave Leeds the win with four tries in total notched by the play-off hopefuls.

However, the positivity at Leeds was halted on Monday as the incident involving Smith and Richardson was highlighted by the Match Review Panel with Smith given a one-match ban.

Leeds have confirmed they will be appealing the decision as they made the following statement:

“Leeds Rhinos will appeal the Grade B Dangerous Contact charge against captain Cameron Smith from the Match Review Panel after last Thursday’s win at Castleford Tigers. Smith has been handed a one game ban which would mean he would miss this Friday’s clash with Warrington Wolves.”

The club also revealed footage of the incident which makes the altercation with Danny Richardson seem very soft.

You can watch it here.

If the appeal is successful the Leeds Rhinos skipper can feature against Warrington Wolves on Friday night.

However, Leeds have accepted the Grade B charge given to Justin Sangare which will mean the French prop will miss the game. Fortunately, prop Tom Holroyd should return from the bruised elbow suffered against St Helens.

The club confirmed this decision adding: “Justin Sangare has also received a one game ban for a Grade C Head Contact charge, the club will not be appealing this charge.”

Match Review Panel round up including Leeds Rhinos charges

Yesterday, seven players were charged following Rivals Round in the Super League disciplinary process.

One player, Liam Byrne of Wigan Warriors, was given a Grade E charge for making head contact with St Helens centre Mark Percival, resulting in a red card offence.

His case will be heard at tonight’s Operational Rules Tribunal, which will determine his punishment. Grade E offences can result in a ban of three to five games and a fine.

Two other forwards, Tyler Dupree and Matty Lees, were also charged for head contact in the same game. Lees was given a two-game ban, compared to Dupree’s one-match suspension, which could lead to an appeal from St Helens.

As aforementioned, Leeds Rhinos players Justin Sangare and Cam Smith were also handed one-game bans for Grade C and Grade B charges, respectively. The Cam Smith charge will be appealed.

Additionally, Paul Vaughan of Warrington Wolves received a two-game ban for his Grade C charge of dangerous contact. Harvey Livett was charged with a Grade B head contact but was not banned. He may still appeal, as Leigh Leopards and John Asiata did last month.