Wigan Warriors duo banned as Catalans star lands monster suspension

Wigan Warriors have lost Brad O’Neill and Sam Walters to suspension after picking up disciplinary charges.

The duo have been suspended following incidents in the victory over Toulouse Olympique, with O’Neill receiving a one-match ban and Walters two.

Hooker O’Neill was sin-binned for a tip tackle in the game and has received a Grade C charge for the tackle, while Walters has been cited for other contrary behaviour, graded at B, but his previous disciplinary points means he will be suspended for two games. Once served, he will have missed 12 games due to three separate offences so far this season.

It means both will miss Saturday’s trip to Odsal when the Warriors take on Bradford Bulls, while Walters will miss the big clash with Wakefield Trinity in a fixture that could have a big say on who finishes in the top two at the end of the season.

Wigan are already without the likes of Junior Nsemba and Liam Farrell in the pack, putting further strain on Matt Peet’s middle unit now Walters is missing.

Elsewhere, Catalans Dragons forward Frank Maria has been suspended for four matches after his red card in the defeat to Huddersfield Giants. Maria was dismissed for a shoulder charge on George King in their heavy defeat to the Giants, and he has subsequently received a Grade E charge which has resulted in a heft ban that will see him miss all but one of the club’s remaining games this season.

They are the only three players to be banned, though several other players have been fined. Two of them are from Warrington Wolves, with Liam Byrne and James Bentley both being hit in the pocket after receiving charges following the win over Bradford Bulls on Saturday.

Round 22 Super League disciplinary charges

• Liam Horne (Leigh Leopards) – Opposition: York Knights – Grade B Dangerous Contact – Penalty Points: 3 – Total Penalty Points: 3 – Fine
• Harvey Barron (Hull FC) – Opposition: St Helens – Grade B Other Contrary Behaviour – Penalty Points: 3 – Total Penalty Points: 3 – Fine
• Liam Byrne (Warrington Wolves) – Opposition: St Helens – Grade B Head Contact – Penalty Points: 3 – Total Penalty Points: 3.75 – Fine
• James Bentley (Warrington Wolves) – Opposition: Bradford Bulls – Grade A Late contact on kicker – Penalty Points: 1 – Total Penalty Points: 3.25 – Fine
• Alrix Da Costa (Catalans Dragons) – Opposition: Huddersfield Giants – Grade B Late contact on passer – Penalty Points: 3 – Total Penalty Points: 3.75 – Fine
• Franck Maria (Catalans Dragons) – Opposition: Huddersfield Giants – Grade E Shoulder Charge – Penalty Points: 18 – Total Penalty Points: 25.25 – 4 match suspension
• Nick Cotric (Catalans Dragons) – Opposition: Huddersfield Giants – Grade A Late contact on passer – Penalty Points: 1 – Total Penalty Points: 4.25 – Fine
• Sauaso Sue (Hull KR) – Opposition: Castleford Tigers – Grade A Late contact on passer – Penalty Points: 1 – Total Penalty Points: 5 – Fine
• Caleb Hamlin-Uele (Wakefield Trinity) – Opposition: Leeds Rhinos – Grade A Late contact on passer – Penalty Points: 1 – Total Penalty Points: 1.5 – No further action
• Presley Cassell (Leeds Rhinos) – Opposition: Wakefield Trinity – Grade B Trip – Penalty Points: 3 – Total Penalty Points: 3 – Fine
• Anthony Marion (Toulouse Olympique) – Opposition: Wigan Warriors – Grade A Dangerous Throw/Lift – Penalty Points: 1 – Total Penalty Points: 1.75 – No further action
• Brad O’Neill (Wigan Warriors) – Opposition: Toulouse Olympique – Grade C Dangerous Throw/Lift – Penalty Points: 5 – Total Penalty Points: 8.25 – 1 match suspension
• Sam Walters (Wigan Warriors) – Opposition: Toulouse Olympique – Grade B Other Contrary Behaviour – Penalty Points: 3 – Total Penalty Points: 16.25 – 2 match suspension and a fine