Hull KR learn Rhyse Martin fate as Super League disciplinary tribunal gives verdict

Hull KR forward Rhyse Martin was facing a huge ban and he has learned the outcome of his Grade E Super League disciplinary charge.

Martin was one of two players to be handed a Grade E charge after Monday’s disciplinary verdict in which a total of nine Super League players were charged.

None were banned, however, Martin and Castleford’s Liam Horne were both ordered to face an Operational Rules Tribunal after being hit with the same offence.

That offence was ‘Unnecessary contact with a player who is injured or maybe injured’, but for Martin there was the additional issue of Head Contact as well.

Serious About Rugby League understand that the Head Contact charge would not have been a Grade E charge on its own, however, Martin’s decision to pull on make contact with Max Jowitt as he lay prone after the tackle is what he’s facing a major ban for.

Super League players are told not to make contact with players who could be injured for fear of causing a more serious injury, hence why the Papua New Guinean faces such a serious charge. The serious nature of the charge has been highlighted by the fact Liam Horne was found guilty and handed a huge six-game ban in the earlier of the two evening tribunals.

The Operational Rules Tribunal have met and confirmed their verdict.

Super League disciplinary verdict as Rhyse Martin escapes ban

Unlike Liam Horne who was found guilty and handed a huge ban, Rhyse Martin has escaped a ban with Hull KR able to successfully contest the charge of making unnecessary contact with an injured player. Instead, the Papua New Guinean is handed a Grade A charge for head contact, something he pleaded guilty to.

An RFL statement confirmed: “Rhyse Martin of Hull KR pleaded guilty to a Grade A charge of head contact in last Friday’s Betfred Super League fixture against Wakefield Trinity, but an additional Grade E charge of unnecessary contact, to which he pleaded not guilty, was not proven. He therefore has 1 penalty point added to his disciplinary record.”

Martin escaping a ban is the second example of Hull KR managing to challenge a serious charge with Sauaso Sue cleared of spitting last month in the aftermath of the Challenge Cup Final.

With James Batchelor out for Hull KR following a throat injury, it means they’ll have a ready-made replacement ahead of Sunday’s game against Leeds Rhinos.

Martin’s appearance against Wakefield Trinity was his first since suffering a quadriceps injury in the Round Three win over Salford Red Devils.