Super League Disciplinary: Concerns after stars lash out in Challenge Cup

Ordinarily, there is a big review about who could be on the wrong end of a Super League disciplinary verdict, however, with just the two Challenge Cup games this weekend it means there is less to assess.

A lack of games didn’t mean a lack of tries with both men’s Challenge Cup semi-finals being hammerings. Two of the four sides tied atop Super League showed why they’re in that position as they dispatched of their rivals.

On Saturday, Wigan Warriors beat Hull KR 38-6 with the Robins never getting into the game and simply compounding error after error to allow Matt Peet’s side to take the ascendancy.

Wigan were actually without one of their starting props for that game after last week’s Super League disciplinary process deemed Liam Byrne worthy of a two-match ban. The Irish international had been sine-binned for the very first tackle of the game against Huddersfield Giants but Wigan didn’t miss him as they racked up the points.

As for Sunday’s game, no men were suspended and Huddersfield actually saw the return of star signing Adam Swift. They were aiming to respond following defeat to Wigan the week prior but Warrington put them to the sword.

In a seven-try display, Sam Burgess’ side marched on to Wembley with a 46-10 win to set up a mouthwatering clash between Wigan and themselves.

Ironically, the teams will play each other  in Super League the week before the Challenge Cup Final which could prompt both teams to line up with their reserves, so as to avoid any risk of wrath from the Super League disciplinary system.

The same can’t be said this week though with that same Super League disciplinary process set to kick into gear following a number of incididents at the weekend.

Super League disciplinary concerns for three of the four semi-finalists

The only side that might be getting away from today’s Match Review Panel without a ban could be Warrington Wolves, however, with a melee and then a scuffle later on in their win over the Giants, the Panel will be paying close attention to ensure there are no indiscretions.

For Huddersfield though, Jake Connor was one of the main antagonists with the full-back shoving Josh Thewlis over the advertising boards to kickstart the first melee. Ten minutes later he refused to let the winger up at the play the ball, pushing Thewlis’ face and then lashing out once the pair got to their feet.

Liam Moore sent Connor for ten but there could be more for him, meanwhile the actions of Thewlis are sure to be looked at too. Another Giants player who will certainly be looked at is Tui Lolohea with the Tongan playmaker pulling Matty Nicholson to the ground in the initial seconds after Connor and Thewlis’ first incident. Those actions led to the skirmish.

As for Saturday’s game and two players were shown yellow with Aussie centres Tom Opacic and Adam Keighran going at it during the play the ball before handbags were thrown when both men found their feet. More could be made of that but the man that may well be at risk the most is Hull KR’s other centre.

Footage has emerged online of Kiwi Peta Hiku aggressively dropping onto Jai Field before shoving his shoulder into the Australian’s head in an incident that Hull KR academy coach Jason Netherton has since explained on social media wasn’t a flop, but “should have been a red card.”

I didn’t miss it, I didn’t need to say anything about it because it wasn’t a flop or anything to do with markers

It was direct contact with the head and should have been a red card. It’s not hard to say it, he’s not ‘my’ player

— Jason Netherton (@netherton_jason) May 19, 2024