Sione Mata’utia: St Helens forward to miss Challenge Cup final after tackle ban upheld
- Published
Sione Mata'utia is in his first season in Super League
St Helens forward Sione Mata'utia will miss the Challenge Cup final against Castleford after winning only one of his appeals against a two-game ban.
The Rugby Football League disciplinary panel charged him with two offences in Saints' win over Wakefield on Friday.
The 25-year-old had a charge of dangerous contact downgraded after an appeal but failed to overturn another one-match ban given for a high tackle.
It means he will not line up against his brother Peter in Saturday's final.
Wakefield chief executive Michael Carter criticised the decision to ban Mata'utia.
"Sione goes to pressure a kicker like is seen in every single game. No complaints from the kicker who bounces back up and plays on. No complaints from us as a club. It was a tough game and the best team won," he said in a statement., external
"Sione now misses a Challenge Cup Final against his brother on the back of it. I guarantee I could find 20 worse incidents in our game."
Meanwhile, four players were banned on Tuesday following Catalans' win at Leeds.
Leeds second-rower Bodene Thompson has been handed a three-match suspension, while Dragons forward Joel Tomkins and half-back James Maloney have both been banned for two games and Rhinos back-row Rhyse Martin has been banned for one game.
The two sides meet again in Perpignan on Friday.
Huddersfield Giants forward Joe Greenwood has also been banned for three games for a dangerous contact offence in their defeat at Wigan.
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