Disciplinary news as three players charged from Leeds Rhinos v St Helens, Hull KR man also hit
The RFL’s match review panel have charged three players with offences in Leeds Rhinos’ golden-point loss to St Helens.
Rhinos forward James McDonnell has been handed a two-game penalty notice for grade D punching after being sent-off late in last Friday’s 13-12 golden-point defeat.
The panel’s notes describe the incident, which was not clear on Sky TV’s live coverage of the match, as “one-on-one – contact to the head”.
McDonnell was the second Rhinos man sent off in as many Betfred Super League matches, following Zane Tetevano’s dismissal at Wigan Warriors two weeks earlier.
Fellow second-rower Tetevano has now completed a two-match suspension, but McDonnell’s penalty notice means he will miss Saturday’s Magic Weekend derby against Castleford Tigers and the trip to Wakefield Trinity eight days later. He was also fined £250.
Rhinos centre Nene Macdonald and St Helens second-row Sione Mata’utia were also charged.
Macdonald faces no further action for grade A “off the ball contact”. Mata’utia, who was sin-binned, received a £250 fine for grade A dangerous contact.
Other players charged following Super League round 13 were Hull KR’s Sauaso Sue for grade A “raising knee in tackle” against Wigan and Salford Red Devils’ ex-Leeds forward King Vuniyayawa, over a grade B high tackle at home to Hull FC. Both were fined £250.