Clubs could become wary of contesting bans says Ian Watson
Picture by Simon Wilkinson/SWpix.com
Huddersfield coach Ian Watson believes clubs may think twice before challenging suspensions after Giants half-back Jack Cogger had his two-match ban increased to three on appeal.
Cogger was punished for using his knees in a tackle during his team’s 32-10 Super League defeat at Warrington last Saturday. However, the club opted to contest the severity of the ban in the hope that it would free him up for the Challenge Cup semi-final against Hull KR at Elland Road later in May.
A Rugby Football League operational rules tribunal decided on Tuesday evening that Cogger’s challenge was frivolous and he will now miss his team’s next two league matches in addition to the semi-final.
His ban will begin this Thursday, as Huddersfield travel to Wakefield live on Sky Sports.
Ian Watson: ‘We thought it was worth the challenge’
Watson said: “We thought it was worth the challenge and Jack definitely thought it was worth the challenge.
“Players work all their career to be able to play in big games like this and Jack’s desperately disappointed that he’s not going to be able to do that.
“By the letter of the law, he’s having to deal with the consequences of his actions on the day. It is what it is. We have to move forward.”
Huddersfield boss on challenging charges
Cogger has become the third player so far this season to have his suspension increased by the disciplinary panel. And Watson feels this may deter future contests.
The Giants boss added: “You are always going to challenge if you think you can get something out of it. But it is really difficult.
“We’ve been in a few of them now and put some really good cases forward. But nothing has happened on the back of them.
“We were a little bit worried that they might see it as frivolous but the case that Jack put forward was very good and, for them to take 40 minutes to decide, I don’t see how that could be interpreted as frivolous.
“There is nothing we can do about it now. We felt it was worth a gamble.
“Will it put teams off? It depends. If it’s 50-50, I don’t think people are going to challenge it.”
Huddersfield will also be without former England prop Chris Hill and in-form full-back Tui Lolohea for Thursday’s league game at Wakefield through suspension.
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