Last week Leeds Rhinos, Wigan Warriors, Warrington Wolves, Hull FC and St Helens stars landed in hot water but what they were punished for by the Match Review Panel paled in comparison to the accusation facing former Wakefield Trinity winger and Bradford Bulls star Jorge Taufua.
The winger joined Wakefield last year and initially impressed at the Super League club but after a few injuries and Wakefield’s woes he left the club for Bradford.
This came after the club went over their quota spots with the signing of David Fifita. He has impressed at Bradford but was recently accused of biting and was set to face a tribunal on Tuesday but to the surprise of many this didn’t happen.
This is because of Bradford’s week off that allowed the tribunal to be heard at a later date.
This date has been determined and he will face the tribunal today.
The Operational Rules Tribunal still met last Tuesday as Newcastle Thunder star Brad Gallagher faced a Grade F charge for unacceptable language and faced the tribunal last night.
He has been found guilty and banned for six games.
The RFL made the following statement:
“Brad Gallagher of Newcastle Thunder has been suspended for six matches, and fined £500, after pleading guilty to a Grade F charge of using unacceptable language in a recent Betfred Championship fixture against Swinton Lions.
“The Grade F charge covers “verbal abuse based on race, colour, religion, gender, sexual preference, disability, national or ethnic origin or any other form of Unacceptable Behaviour or Language”.”
The tribunal also deals with appeals from Super League. Yesterday Brad Fash was banned for other contrary behaviour for a late contact on the kicker.
Meanwhile, James Bell and Kaide Ellis were both banned due to dangerous contact.
All three received only one match bans which is not good for all three teams as they chase a spot in the play-offs.
Wigan and Saints are gunning for the top two whilst Hull FC are chasing down rivals Hull KR and Salford Red Devils in the fifth and sixth spots.
Serious About Rugby League can confirm that there have been no appeals rising from these charges.
Furthermore, with no reserves fixtures taking place this week Wigan and Hull can’t use the week off and the loophole to dodge a suspension.
St Helens take on Huddersfield Giants this week in a fixture postponed from Round One.
Thus, James Bell will sit out the game this week as his side take on the Giants.
Thus the following charges stuck:
Ben Garcia – Catalans Dragons – Dangerous Throw – B – £250 Fine
Matty English – Huddersfield Giants – High Tackle – B – £250 Fine
Olly Russell – Huddersfield Giants – Tripping – B – £250 Fine
Brad Fash – Hull FC – Other Contrary Behaviour – B – 1 Match Penalty Notice
Darnell McIntosh – Hull FC – Dangerous Contact – B – £250 Fine
Joe Cator – Hull FC – Tripping – B – £250 Fine
Sam Lisone – Leeds Rhinos – Tripping – B – £250 Fine
Matt Davis – Leigh Leopards – High Tackle – B – £250 Fine
James Bell – St Helens – Dangerous Contact – B- 1 Match Penalty Notice
Daryl Clark – Warrington Wolves – Tripping – B – £250 Fine
Kaide Ellis – Wigan Warriors – Dangerous Contact – B – 1 Match Penalty Notice
Cautions
Jack Brown – Hull FC – Other Contrary Behaviour – N/A – N/A
Huddersfield Giants
Tom Burgess says he won’t stay in Super League for long
