Round 14 of Super League is in the books meaning that we are officially past the halfway point in the campaign but it won’t be cause for celebration for all players, with several nervously awaiting today’s disciplinary verdict.
The Match Review Panel will meet and determine what disciplinary charges are to be handed out with some far more obvious than others but unlike last week, there were no red cards handed out in Super League.
Warrington Wolves, the team to have the fewest disciplinary charges in Super League, kicked the week off with a win over St Helens so Wire now sit second, level on points with table toppers Leeds Rhinos who beat Toulouse on Friday night.
Friday also saw Wigan Warriors hammer Wakefield Trinity whilst Hull KR eased past York Knights, ensuring that a group of four sides occupy positions third to sixth, level on 18 points.
Outside of the six, it was Leigh Leopards who were the big winners as they closed in on the play-offs with a win over Bradford Bulls with Catalans doing a similar job against Castleford Tigers, who are level on points with Hull FC after their win over bottom-of-the-table Huddersfield Giants.
Ahead of today’s Match Review Panel, we’ve looked at which players could be in line for a charge.
Click here to listen to this week’s episode of the Serious About Rugby League Show
Super League disciplinary sweats
Thursday night saw two disciplinary incidents of note with Josh Thewlis’ sin binning being one of them, however, that was simply for a professional foul and won’t be likely to draw a serious charge, if any at all.
One incident that went unpunished but was placed on report was Joe Shorrocks’ shot on James Bentley with the St Helens man potentially in line for a ban if charged given his previous penalty points.
The same can be said of Hull FC’s Amir Bourouh after he was placed on report for a potential cannonball-style tackle, though his coach Andy Last claimed that the initial contact suggested his hooker should avoid punishment.
Also in that game, loanee Jeremiah Mata’utia made heavy contact with his knees on Oliver Russell when attempting to prevent a try, something that we have seen players punished for.
Wakefield saw Jazz Tevaga banned last week and this week hooker Tyson Smoothy was penalised for a late shot on Harry Smith so Trinity will be wary.
There were also a couple of tip tackles that might warrant another look despite the officials deeming them only worthy of a penalty. Those were York’s King Vuniyayawa on Tom Davies and Leigh’s Lachlan Lam on Guy Armitage.
