Huddersfield Giants star Will Pryce has been hit by a huge TEN game ban but admitted: “I thought they’d ban me for the year.”
The England Knights stand-off, 19, was suspended by an independent tribunal on Tuesday evening after being sent off for a dangerous throw on Hull’s Connor Wynne. One of Betfred Super League’s rising stars, remorseful Pryce said: “They are clamping down on all sorts of stuff this year.
“And knowing Luke Gale got five games for what he did, I did think I’d be out for the season. They were pushing for 12 games at first but we put my case forward and I explained how there was no malice there and it was just a freak accident.
“I know I got it wrong. I was just happy to see Connor was OK. I was simply glad he was able to get up fine and I went over to apologise straight away. I messaged him after the game as well to make sure he was OK and safe and well. I just didn’t realise how far he’d flipped over when it happened.”
Huddersfield were losing 14-0 at the time and struggling to break Hull down as they headed into the latter stages of Sunday’s game which ended with a 14-6 defeat.
Wynne landed heavily on his head in a clearly dangerous position. Pryce, who might not play again until June, added: “People can say it was down to me being frustrated but it wasn’t that.
“I never planned for that to happen. I was just putting energy into the tackle but I know I need to control it better.
“I will learn from what happened. It’s not a technique problem. It’s about putting everything into the game and trying to stop him doing what he can do. But obviously I didn’t get it right. I regret the challenge and I fully accept it’s my fault. I take full responsibility for that.”
Pryce - son of ex-St Helens and Great Britain star Leon - enjoyed a breakthrough season last year and was tipped to be a big hit in 2022. Asked how he will deal with the enforced lay-off, he admitted: “I’ve never faced this type of adversity before.
“I’ve never been banned so it’s something new. I’ll keep working hard and training hard and trying to get my body right so that when I do come back I can make a difference.”
He had been referred to the tribunal by the Match Review Panel on a Grade F charge. Pryce was also fined £500.
