Hull KR star to face tribunal for controversial incident as Wigan Warriors prop banned

Hull KR centre Peta Hiku will face a Rugby Football League tribunal on Tuesday evening after being charged with making ‘unnecessary contact’ with Wigan Warriors star Junior Nsemba during Saturday’s Super League Grand Final. 

Cherry and Whites youngster Nsemba left the field for a Head Injury Assessment during the early stages of Saturday evening’s showpiece after a heavy collision at Old Trafford.

He subsequently passed his HIA and returned to the field to complete the game, which Wigan won 9-2, but Hiku has been hit with a significant Grade E charge after being deemed to have made contact with Nsemba as he lay on the floor during that incident.

The 31-year-old has been charged with ‘unnecessary contact with a player who is or maybe injured’, and is now looking at a lengthy suspension at the beginning of next season’s Super League campaign.

It could also impact his first call-up to the New Zealand squad in seven years, with the Kiwis facing both Australia and Tonga in the Pacific Cup as part of the Pacific Championships over the next few weeks.

KR are expected to strongly contest that charge on Tuesday evening.

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Hull KR star to face tribunal for controversial incident as Wigan Warriors prop banned

Meanwhile, Wigan prop Luke Thompson has been given a one-match ban for a separate incident in Saturday’s game.

Thompson has been charged with Grade B Dangerous Contact for late contact on the passer in the closing stages of the showpiece – but the Warriors are appealing the ban.

The suspension would eat into Thompson’s participation for England this autumn in their two-match Test Series against Samoa if the appeal is not successful.

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