Rhyse Martin will miss Leeds Rhinos' semi-final clash with Wigan Warriors after the club was unsuccessful in appealing the frivolous grading of their original defence, it has been confirmed. Martin had received a one-match ban for a high tackle in their victory over Castleford Tigers and that was extended when their appeal was deemed to be without substance.
Coach Rohan Smith confirmed the club would appeal the frivolous element of the ban but they have been unsuccessful, meaning Martin will miss Friday's semi-final after all.
It's a blow for the Rhinos, who could also be without Ash Handley, David Fusitu'a, Harry Newman, Morgan Gannon and Mikolaj Oledzki for their trip to the DW Stadium. The news will also anger people involved at Headingley after the response of the wider game was ignored. Supporters of the game came together to express their disgust at the decision by the tribunal. Alex Mellor, who had been on the receiving end of the challenge that saw Martin banned, took to Twitter to say the incident wasn't even worthy of a penalty.
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It's the second time Leeds have failed to overturn a frivolous charge after unsuccessfully attempting to do the same when Harry Newman was banned for using unacceptable language towards a match official earlier this year.
With Gannon unavailable due to a failed HIA last week in the victory over Catalans Dragons, it leaves Smith with a difficult selection headache. Zane Tetevano has played in the back-row, as has Bodene Thompson. Smith will name his 21-man squad on Wednesday.
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