Leeds Rhinos: Increase of James Bentley ban ‘flies in face of natural justice’ blasts Gary Hetherington

Bentley was sent off early in last Saturday’s Betfred Super League round one defeat by Warrington Wolves.

The RFL’s match review panel subsequently charged him with a grade C high tackle and issued a three-game penalty notice, which is the maximum punishment for that level of offence.

Rhinos challenged that, but a disciplinary hearing upheld the charge and added another match after deeming the appeal ‘frivolous’. Bentley, a high-profile recruit in the off-season from St Helens, made his debut against Warrington.

He will now miss a home game against Hull, as well as Friday’s trip to Wigan, the visit of Catalans a week tomorrow and derby at Wakefield Trinity seven days after that.

Rhinos have not disputed the red card, accepting the tackle on Gareth Widdop was high, but felt the grading was too severe.

Mitigating circumstances raised by the club are understood to include the fact no injury was caused and the Warrington man was falling down when he was struck. Asked for his view on the outcome of the appeal, Hetherington said Rhinos were confident they had a strong case which was backed up by expert advice.

“We spent much of (Tuesday) fielding calls from irate fans, sponsors and some former players, all complaining about the lack of clarity over the RFL disciplinary process,” he said.

“For the James Bentley ban, it was decided to appeal against the grading of the charge, but only after using the services of a recently retired grade one referee who gave his own advice and guidance to us.

“That was supported by new video and photographic evidence which disproved the charge against the player of using a clenched fist and swinging arm.”

“The RFL disciplinary have ruled that our appeal was a frivolous one and have subsequently increased the ban on the player to four games. In our opinion, this raises the whole issue of appeals and does appear to fly in the face of natural justice.”

Warrington’s Oliver Holmes, who was sin-binned for a grade B high tackle on James Donaldson, also had his ban increased by a game for an allegedly frivolous appeal. He was initially suspended for one match.

Rhinos will be without winger David Fusitu’a tomorrow under the sport’s concussion protocol. He failed a half-time head injury assessment after being hurt in a tackle by Ben Currie.

The match review panel subsequently charged Currie with a grade A high tackle and issued a zero-game penalty notice, which means he is available for tomorrow’s visit of Castleford Tigers. Rhinos did not appeal against a one-match suspension handed to hooker Brad Dwyer for grade A dangerous contact.

Though that was the same grade as Currie’s offence, Dwyer received a sterner punishment because of his past record.

Meanwhile, Hull saw Jake Connor banned for one match following his red card for a high tackle against Wakefield and team-mate Andre Savelio received a two-game suspension for use of the knees.

Coach Brett Hodgson described that as “disappointing” but added: “I think the game is going down a path where us coaches need to make sure our discipline is better.”

“I believe that some of the calls were harsh - I still believe that - but also our decision not to fight it (appeal) I think was the right one as the boys (Bentley/Holmes) who went up ended up having another week added to it.”

The Australian added: “We have to make sure that we’re not putting ourselves in positions that even look like we’re going to get penalised, yellow carded or even red carded.”