Leigh Leopards forward Joe Ofahengaue has appeared at a Super League disciplinary tribunal after appealing a recent charge that was handed down to him.
Ofahengaue was charged twice after Friday night’s win over Wigan Warriors with the Leigh Leopards prop cited for late contact with the passer both times.
One of those charges was a Grade A and the other a Grade B and Serious About Rugby League revealed earlier today that Leigh had decided to challenge the Grade B charge, worth a total of three disciplinary points.
Something surprising about Leigh’s decision to appeal the charge was the fact that Ofahengaue had not even been handed a ban, however, with the way the new disciplinary system works, he was within one charge of landing a ban.
Heading into a crucial part of the season, the Leopards clearly felt that they had enough of a case to either overturn or downgrade the charge to ensure Ofahengaue has less points on his record and therefore has less chance of a future suspension.
Leigh Leopards prop escapes ban
It was a risky decision as the Leigh Leopards prop would have a further five points added to his record should he be unsuccessful in his appeal, which would automatically trigger a one-match ban and means he misses the match against Hull KR.
Fortunately for Leigh, that hasn’t happened with the club able to successfully appeal the Grade B charge. That has now been removed from his record meaning he no longer toes the line of a ban.
An RFL statement read: “Joe Ofahengaue of Leigh Leopards has successfully appealed his Grade B charge of late contact on passer during the Leopards’ Super League game against Wigan Warriors. The charge had carried three penalty points and a fine, which will now be removed from his records.”
Ofahengaue’s tribunal started at 7pm with the RFL confirming that Castleford Tigers’ Liam Horne’s would begin immediately after. The Papua New Guinean international is appealing the controversial six-game ban handed to him last week for making contact with a player who may or may not be injured.
