Why Super League star will avoid ban no matter the result of his appeal

It was confirmed earlier today by the RFL that two clubs were appealing the bans given out to their players.

At tonight’s Operational Rules Tribunal, Leigh Leopards appealed the ban given to Nathan Wilde after their win over Leeds Rhinos.

He was successful in reducing the ban to just a £250 fine as he reduced the grading from Grade B dangerous contact to Grade A dangerous contact.

Next week there will be another tribunal assessing the case of Siosiua Taukeiaho.

He was hit with a one match ban alongside teammate Michael McIlorum

However, remarkably Taukeiaho has already avoided a ban because the RFL has looked at his previous record and determined no ban is warranted.

The RFL made the following statement:

“Catalans Dragons have also appealed a decision of Monday’s Match Review Panel that their prop Siosiua Taukeiaho was guilty of a Grade B high tackle in Sunday’s Betfred Super League game at Salford. Their appeal will be heard by an Operational Rules Tribunal next Tuesday. The Dragons have already established that if found guilty, the player will not be subject to a one-match suspension, as previously stated – following further research into his previous record.”

Thus the forward will be available to take on St Helens in Catalans’ next game in a repeat of the 2021 Grand Final.