Samoa skipper reportedly free to play Rugby League World Cup Final as St Helens star banned

Many expected Junior Paulo to receive a ban for a tip tackle on Tom Burgess in the early stages of Samoa’s win over England in the Rugby League World Cup semi-final at the Emirates Stadium in London.

He received a yellow card for the incident which perhaps could have led to a red in Super League.

The Samoan skipper has meanwhile avoided a ban receiving just a caution as did Royce Hunt who was also involved in the tackle.

After the game, England coach Shaun Wane said he didn’t want Paulo to receive a ban and said he didn’t think the incident deserved a red card.

“The way this World Cup has been refereed has been brilliant, they’ve let the players play. I was glad he didn’t get sent off our defeat was nothing to do with that,” he said of the decision to give just a yellow card.

Meanwhile, St Helens star Morgan Knowles received a one-match ban for dangerous contact whilst Wigan Warriors’ John Bateman received a caution for other contrary behaviour.

This all comes from the NRL.com with NRL stars set to shine in the World Cup Final especially those from Penrith Panthers with the final set to see mates Jarome Luai and Nathan Cleary come up against each other.