Leeds Rhinos star in trouble – here’s why

Yesterday the RFL confirmed that Leeds Rhinos, Hull FC and Wakefield Trinity stars were all in trouble over social media posts.

These posts pertained to comments about the officials which have now been punished.

Alongside the trio, two Super League Head Coaches have also been punished for comments made about officials this season.

This came as two Super League clubs and a Championship club were punished for crowd behaviour in the shape of Hull KR, Salford Red Devils and Featherstone Rovers.

But turning back to the players, three Super League players, and two head coaches, have been fined for recent breaches of the Operational Rules relating to criticism of match officials.

Luke Gale of Wakefield Trinity, Sam Lisone of Leeds Rhinos and Jake Trueman of Hull FC have each been fined £500, with £250 suspended until the end of the 2024 season, for breaching Operational Rules D1:1 (b) – Improper Conduct, and C2.10 – Behaviour Standards.

In each case, the criticism appeared on social media.

Letters to the players include the following explanation: “Please be aware that your position in the game as a Super League player clearly gives you significant standing within the sport and you should be more considered when discussing such matters.”

Salford’s head coach Paul Rowley has been fined £4,000 – £2,500 of which is suspended until the end of the 2024 season – for his comments following the Betfred Super League fixture against St Helens on August 6.

Huddersfield’s head coach Ian Watson has been fined £500, suspended until the end of the 2024 season, for his comments following a Betfred Super League fixture at St Helens on August 13.

Looking at Lisone, his fine likely comes for his Tweet, which was deleted after the fact, after the game against Huddersfield Giants.

He said: “Refs need to be held accountable just like players.”

Perhaps this is in reference to the drop goal or some other decisions that didn’t go Leeds’ way.

Rohan Smith had said of the drop goal: “There was a drop goal that didn’t go other as well. Their players knew it hadn’t gone over. They were getting ready for the 20 metre restart.

“Everyone knew it didn’t go over. Their players were laughing about it.”