The Super League disciplinary committee has announced its verdict after the first round of matches in the new season. The committee reviewed the first six games of the season, with a particular focus on head contact due to the new rules with a major focus on Wigan Warriors among fans ahead of their World Club Challenge.
The first instance of the new rules came in the opening game between Hull FC and Hull KR, where Herman Ese’ese received a yellow card, leaving Hull FC with 12 players. Later, Franklin Pele was sent off for a swinging arm, which could have resulted in a red card in any era.
Ligi Sao was also sent off for direct contact to the head with the knee, after retaliating to Matt Parcell, who was sin binned and could have also faced disciplinary action.
The new rules were also in play during the game between Salford Red Devils and Leeds Rhinos, where Ryan Brierley was sin binned for a high tackle. Paul Momirovski, his opponent, could have also faced disciplinary action for a shoulder charge.
The biggest talking point was the sending off of Liam Watts, under the new rules, for Castleford Tigers, while Wigan Warriors duo, Kaide Ellis and Harry Smith, escaped that fate. Catalans Dragons star Michael McIlorum was not so lucky and was also sent off.
To answer the question of who has been punished this week by the Match Review Panel, a total of 16 players have been charged following the games in round one. A number of them are set to head to the tribunal to face their charges. Nine players have been banned and three more are likely to join them after the tribunal.
Wigan Warriors star avoids charge
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Paul Greenwood/Shutterstock 13775774q Kaide Ellis of Wigan Warriors Wigan Warriors v Wakefield Trinity, Betfred Superleague, Rugby League, DW Stadium, Wigan, UK
Wigan Warriors will have faced a particularly difficult nervous wait knowing that any players charged would be set to miss the World Club Challenge and after the loss of Luke Thompson through head injury, they could ill afford losing another player especially in a similar position.
Thus, they will have been relieved to have seen Kaide Ellis avoid a ban. In fact, Ellis avoided a ban because the penalty awarded and the mitigation was deemed enough so that he wasn’t charged and wasn’t even cited in the minutes.
Harry Smith also avoided a ban due to the mitigation surrounding his tip tackle.
