Derby KO for Rhinos ace Ali
Published Date:
06 August 2008
By Peter Smith
Leeds Rhinos will cop forward Ali Lauitiiti's one-match ban on the chin.
Lauitiiti will miss Friday's visit of Bradford Bulls after the RFL's disciplinary committee found him guilty of a "careless strike with a forearm" in Saturday's defeat at Warrington Wolves.
The Leeds man, who was also fined £300, was placed on report by referee Steve Ganson following a challenge on Ben Westwood.
Rhinos coach Brian McClennan said there will be no appeal and admitted it had been a fair hearing.
"We are always respectful of the judiciary, referees and the RFL," he said.
"Ali will be ready for the Castleford game a week on Friday and that's good to know.
"It is always a bit of a nerve-racking time (having a player at disciplinary) because you don't know what's going to happen.
"Now we will focus on the Bradford game this week. We will have our 17 for Friday and they will get out there and do the best we can do."
Rhinos are hopeful Brent Webb (back) will return this week, but Ryan Bailey (ankle) and Jamie Jones-Buchanan (hamstring) remain on the injury-list, along with long-term casualties Clinton Toopi (knee) and Ryan Hall (foot).
Rhinos chief executive Gary Hetherington said Toopi has undergone knee reconstruction surgery after being hurt in the Carnegie Challenge Cup semi-final defeat by St Helens on July 26.
The full article contains 236 words and appears in EP Leeds First & County newspaper.
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Last Updated:
06 August 2008 8:26 AM
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Source:
EP Leeds First & County
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Location:
Leeds