Leeds Rhinos boss Rohan Smith expects changes to be made to the disciplinary system at the end of the season after arguing punishments have been “too harsh for too little.”
He was speaking after Rhinos second-row Rhyse Martin saw his one-game ban for a high tackle increased to two games due to a “frivolous” appeal. The Papua New Guinea captain will miss Friday’s sudden death play-off at Catalans Dragons and, if Leeds win, their Super League semi-final. There has been widespread condemnation of the tribunal’s decision giving referee Ben Thaler did not even deem the incident - a glancing touch of the nose of Castleford’s Alex Mellor - as a penalty. And the video official took no action either.
Even Mellor himself took to Twitter to last night to declare he didn’t feel the challenge was even a penalty and it is the latest controversy in a season that has been dogged by disbelief at some of the disciplinary decisions. Smith, who says centre Harry Newman has a “chance” of playing in Perpignan after his surprise inclusion in the 21-man squad following injury, offered: “The charge itself, I’m not really sure if that’s the type of tackle which is actually an issue in our game.
“I think it was an accident. Rhyse was taking care in the way he went about it: it was a falling player and a glancing touch. The more concerning part, or the thing that sounds like will be a conversation at the end of the season, is the process around it all: essentially you’re guilty until found ‘guiltier’ if you decide to appeal.
“And we’re still on Teams online calls to show footage that don’t have the ability to go frame by frame. You can't see with real clarity. It’s a little vague at times. I’m not sure why we’re not in person face to face looking at the same screen with the technology we have available. It would make the process a little clearer. I’m all for player safety and taking care of our players. The way I coach, any player will tell you that.
“But a lot of the plays that are being charged across the league are purely accidents and they lack force. It is a combat sport and without the gladiatorial element of battle, what is it? There will be some mistakes and accidents but as I’ve stated to Paul Cullen and the match review panel, I just feel like everything errs on the side of too harsh - not was it high or was it actually an incident. It’s all just too harsh in my opinion and for the good of the game we want our best players available unless they do something that really warrants not being available.”
A number of ex-players have launched a lawsuit against rugby league's governing body, over what they say is a failure to protect them adequately from the risks of brain damage caused by concussive and sub-concussive injuries. That, in part, is why the RFL has tried to clampdown. But there is growing unrest about the process and - with RFL chief executive Ralph Rimmer standing down in December and strategic partners IMG ready to make bold changes to the sport - it seems inevitable there will be a review of the match review process.
On Martin being given an extra match, Smith admitted: “It was difficult, for sure. “We had a 30 minute conversation led by the judge who probed and challenged and asked questions. And we had a detailed analysis of the tackle itself of a comparison clip. Although it wasn’t the same style of tackle it was ranked as a caution which we felt had more force applied (than Martin’s).
“The other part the RFL used was a James Roby tackle earlier in the season. We analysed that closely and were able to provide some reasons why it (Martin) was different and, in our eyes, not as significant as that tackle. We thought there was a fair conversation as it was led by the judge so I’m not quite sure the definition of frivolous. It seems different from the definition I've had from legal people. How it’s used in the RFL seems different.
“Many times it’s a very minor incident and the penalty’s harsh. I don’t see the game having a problem in terms of cheap shots or players being intentionally reckless or often. Or even reckless.”
Mellor, who left Leeds for Castleford earlier this season, offered his support. But Smith added: “Previously and over the years I know that the judiciary doesn't want to hear about mates with the ‘don’t suspend my mate’ approach. I appreciate Alex saying that. You can see the players around the incident didn't react.
"Ben Thaler, who would be among the most experienced referees in the game I'd imagine and had a video referee in his ear if needed, he didn't find a penalty or a yellow card. And at the Super League launch on Sunday, it never got another mention by another coach or a journalist…”
Goal-kicking Australian forward Martin, 29, said he was “devastated” by the decision and Smith added: “Rhyse is a very mature, super-respected, caring kind of guy. He’s gone about it like a real pro. He’s gutted. He’s only missed one game this season from a previous suspension and two games to go home for the funeral of his father.
“He’s invested so much into this season and to have to miss this game is a tough one.He’s a great guy and is around the boys today and helping. It’s credit to him: he’s all about the team.”
On the injury front, Smith says winger Ash Handley will miss a couple of weeks after picking up a metatarsal injury in Saturday’s win over Castleford. He will likely only play if Rhinos reach the Grand Final. Youngster Liam Tindall will come in for Handley for the crunch game in Perpignan.
Newman was thought likely to be finished for the season with his latest injury but is back in contention. Asked if he was always confident he would play again, Smith said: “I wasn't when the injury first occurred but the progress , diligence and expertise gone into his rehab accelerated things to the point where he’s some chance of playing on Friday. “That’s all it is at this point; last week he was no chance and now he’s some chance.
“It'd clearly be a boost and another threat to the opposition. They’d have one of the most dangerous players in Super League to contend with if he does get himself out there.”
Meanwhile, Smith revealed he has had further talks with out-of-contract Zak Hardaker and hopes to get a new deal sorted but there’s “some time constraints we have to be patient with.”
