Why Jake Connor wasn’t banned for accidental strike that injured Hull KR star

Huddersfield Giants star Jake Connor has been charged for “striking” after the Giants’ clash with Hull KR.

Jake Connor though will still be available for the Giants’ game against his former club Hull FC despite the fact this incident injured Mikey Lewis.

Lewis, after catching a stray boot in the head from Connor, was forced off the field and failed a Head Injury Assessment and will now miss the club’s Challenge Cup clash with Salford Red Devils.

Hull KR fans are aggrieved over this decision about Jake Connor because it injured their star man.

So why did Jake Connor avoid a ban? This is because he was only charged with Grade B which only usually carries a ban when the player has a prior record. Furthermore, it is good to see the RFL not throwing the book at someone over an accident.

So Connor has avoided a ban despite its similarities to an incident involving Hull FC star Ligi Sao.

Hull FC star charged for similar incident to Jake Connor strike

In Round One Ligi Sao was charged for a similar incident. Following a Match Review Panel meeting held on 19th February 2024, Sao was charged with misconduct for a breach of Law 15.1(i) during the above match.

Here are the notes from the appeal which was moderately successful:

“The Panel reviewed an incident which occurred at 01 37 58 footage time of the above match. In the Panel’s opinion you have intentionally contacted the opponent’s head with your knee. In the Panel’s opinion they believed your actions to be misconduct and against the spirit of the game.

“In accordance with the RFL’s On Field Sentencing Guidelines, the Panel consider that such offence is a Grade D offence – Other Contrary Behaviour.

“The normal suspension range for such offence is from a 2 to a 3-Match suspension and a fine.

“Match Review Panel reviewed an incident in the above match. The player was dismissed from the field of play.

“The referees report stated that ‘In the 73rd minute of the match Hull FC No 12 Ligi Sao was in possession of the ball when Hull KR No 9 Matt Parcell made contact with the head of Sao. In retaliation, Sao twice intentionally kneed Parcell in the head with a high level of force and danger. Given this was an intentional act of retaliation and as Sao made full contact with the knee to the head twice, I dismissed him from the field.’

“The MRP will openly attest given the actions of Mr Sao’s opponent and the position Mr Sao found himself in that he has a right to some form of self-defence in respect of the first knee.

“However, the second knee to the head by Mr Sao where the player entangles himself and has sight of his opponent, the Match Review Panel submit is a clear act of retaliation.

“Such acts have the potential for serious injury. The Match Review Panel submit this is akin to throwing a punch, kick, headbutt to the head of the opponent and therefore that this should be graded as a Grade D.”