Rohan Smith has expressed his frustration with rugby league's disciplinary process in the wake of another controversial suspension issued to one of his players. The Leeds Rhinos head coach admitted he was unsure of what the Rugby Football League's definition of frivolous was, after Rhyse Martin's one-match ban was doubled at an appeal hearing on Tuesday.
Martin was given the ban for a tackle on Castleford's Alex Mellor, despite referee Ben Thaler not blowing for a penalty during the game last weekend. Leeds' ban was deemed frivolous and the suspension was doubled, leaving Martin to reveal he was 'devastated' - and even Mellor coming out in defence of Martin, saying he didn't feel it was worthy of a penalty, let alone a suspension.
Smith admitted on Wednesday he felt frustrated that the process is still conducted remotely online as opposed to in-person, leaving Leeds and other clubs limited in the detail of footage they can present. He also insisted he felt the incident itself was a mere accident, and said if you appeal a ban, you are 'guilty until you're found guiltier'.
