Arona disappointed with ban

Wakefield forward Tinirau Arona has spoken of his disappointment to be banned for two weeks and says that he had no intention to injure St Helens’ Adam Swift.

Arona was slapped with a two-game suspension after being found guilty of Grade B dangerous contact on the Saints player in the 44-4 loss on March 11.

Swift was seriously injured in the incident. Wakefield appealed against the charge but lost the battle.

“I wasn’t trying to injure the bloke,” Arona told Love Rugby League.

“I was a bit disappointed. The judge said it was a careless tackle. Obviously they had their minds made up.”

Wakefield chairman Michael Carter tweeted in support of the 26-year old: “Absolutely ridiculous that Arona’s suspension has been upheld. Woe betide you make a tackle in rugby league!! Accidents do happen!!!.”

Arona joined the Wildcats from NRL side Cronulla in the off-season. He is ranked third at the club for carries this season, seventh for tackles and ninth in metres made after .

Arona is expected to return to the Wildcats’ squad for the Easter Monday clash with Leeds, with the final game of his ban serbed in the Huddersfield match on Good Friday.

“Hopefully yeah, if I get picked on the team,” the Cook Islands international said.

“I remember the Boxing Day match at Headingley, it was my first game over here. I remember that feeling and the atmosphere of the Leeds crowd. I’m looking forward to it.”