Why Castleford Tigers’ Liam Watts and Leeds Rhinos’ Matt Prior have been banned for the fourth and third time in 2022

It’s been a busy day for the Disciplinary Match Review Panel following the Super League fixtures at the weekend, with 11 players charged and one cautioned.

Following the latest round of Betfred Super League fixtures at the Magic Weekend, the Match Review Panel have issued the following sanctions:

Connor Wynne (Hull FC) – Grade B Late Hit on Passer – 1 Match Penalty Notice
Dean Hadley (Hull KR) – Grade B Late Hit on Kicker – 1 Match Penalty Notice
Brad Fash (Hull FC) – Grade A Dangerous Contact – 0 Match Penalty Notice
George Williams (Warrington) – Grade A Late Hit on Passer – 0 Match Penalty Notice
Matt Prior (Leeds) – Grade B Late Hit on Kicker – 2 Match Penalty Notice
Liam Watts (Castleford) – Grade B High Tackle – 2 Match Penalty Notice
Rob Butler (Wakefield) – Grade C Dangerous Throw – 2 Match Penalty Notice
Sitaleki Akauola (Salford) – Grade B Intentional Trip – 2 Match Penalty Notice
Brodie Croft (Salford) – Grade A Late Hit on Passer – 0 Match Penalty Notice
Sione Mata’utia (St Helens) – Grade A Late Hit on Passer – 1 Match Penalty Notice
Brad Singleton (Wigan) – Grade C High Tackle – 3 Match Penalty Notice

The following player was handed a caution:

Danny Levi (Huddersfield) – High Tackle

Whilst Levi, Fash, Williams and Croft will not miss any games, the same cannot be said of eight others that were charged by the MRP.

Wynne will miss Hull’s game against Wigan Warriors on Friday night, with Singleton also missing that game and two further fixtures for Wigan.

Meanwhile, Hadley adds to Hull KR’s woe with a one-match ban which sees him miss Rovers’ home clash with Wakefield Trinity on Sunday, with Trinity also being without Rob Butler.

Liam Watts, Matt Prior and Sitaleki Akauola will also miss two games for indiscretions from the Magic Weekend, with Sione Mata’utia once more sitting out for Saints after being charged with a late hit on the passer.

For Watts, he was cited for: “Law 15.1(b) – When tackling or attempting to tackle makes contact with the head or neck of an opponent Reckless – tried to tackle but reckless about outcome. Grade B.”

For Prior, he was cited for: “Law 15.1(i) – Dangerous Contact A defending player makes contact with an opponent after the ball has been released by an opponent in a vulnerable position which causes flexion to the head, neck or spinal column on an attacking player, which poses an unacceptable risk of injury to that player. Grade B.”