Leeds Rhinos boss Rohan Smith insists Kiwi star Zane Tetevano still has a future at the club despite his latest disciplinary issue.
The experienced loose forward - Leeds’ marquee signing - was tonight hit with a fifth ban in just 15 months after another red card. He was sent-off for a horror high tackle on Konrad Hurrell in the dying stages of Thursday’s defeat to St Helens and received a five game suspension from the RFL disciplinary tribunal this evening. Rhinos centre Harry Newman also received a three-game suspension for using 'aggressive language or body language' towards referee Tom Grant in the same game.
Tetevano was dismissed twice last term in his debut campaign after joining from Penrith Panthers. Asked if he still had a future at the club, Smith - speaking before tonight's tribunal - said: “Zane’s contracted and some things happen in a combat sport you know.”
Smith praised the former Penrith Panthers player’s influence since he took over at the end of April.
“This is the first incident in my time with Zane so I can only speak for myself,” said the Australian, when asked if the club was losing patience with the NRL Grand Final winner.
“It was the state of the game where there wasn’t a need for any real aggression or intent in that moment. That’s a bit of a game-management situation but I actually feel like he’s been very much in control and played good steady rugby in the last period of time since I’ve been here.”
Leeds are also missing Bodene Thompson for Friday’s trip to Hull FC after he accepted a two-game ban for tripping, an offence that saw him sin-binned against Saints.
Newman, 22, was given a grade C charge by the match review panel on Monday. He appealed and pleaded not guilty at tonight's tribunal. But it upheld the panel’s original two match penalty notice and, finding the challenge ‘frivolous’, added a further match.
It is a major setback for the talented player who had only just returned to action after missing most of the campaign with injury. Liam Sutcliffe will come in as a straight swap for Friday’s game. Meanwhile, Smith hasn’t ruled out Ash Handley’s chances of featuring after he limped out of the St Helens game.
He said: “Ash has a little ankle ligament strain that’s not too bad. He hasn’t run yet and probably won’t run ‘til Thursday so we’ll see how he is then. He’s still in the mix but we won’t know until a little bit later.”
