Hull KR Coach Willie Peters Excludes Pangai Junior and Lewis from Squad Amid Recent Suspensions
Hull KR head coach Willie Peters has decided to omit Tevita Pangai Junior and Mikey Lewis from the squad for Saturday’s match against Toulouse Olympique following their recent suspensions.
Pangai Junior received a four-game ban, while Lewis faces a two-match suspension after the Match Review Panel’s review of Tuesday’s clash with Warrington Wolves on Thursday.
In the match, Pangai Junior, who plays as a prop for Tonga, was penalised for committing three late tackles during Rovers’ 34-28 home defeat, which led to his suspension, while Lewis was sin-binned for catching Warrington’s Ewan Irwin on the ankle with his studs.
Although their suspensions do not take effect until Round 25 next week, both players have been left out of the 21-man squad for the upcoming game against Toulouse.
Pangai, 30, will miss the remaining three regular-season games against Wigan Warriors, Huddersfield Giants, and St Helens, as well as the potential first match in the play-offs. This follows his recent return from a six-match ban for an earlier incident involving Leeds Rhinos’ Jake Connor, raising doubts about his future with Hull KR as his contract expires at the season’s end.
Lewis, 25, just returned from a four-game suspension due to two incidents in the previous match against Warrington in July and will now miss the upcoming matches against Wigan and Huddersfield.
The suspensions pose a setback for the Super League champions as they aim to defend their title while currently sitting in fifth place, six points behind the top two teams.
In contrast, Sam Luckley has avoided a suspension despite a late tackle, as his penalty point total remains below the threshold for a ban.
Hull KR head coach Willie Peters has dropped Tevita Pangai Junior and Mikey Lewis for Saturday’s clash with Toulouse Olympique following their latest bans.
Pangai Junior has been given a four-game ban and Lewis a two-match suspension following Tuesday’s clash with Warrington Wolves by the Match Review Panel on Thursday.
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Tonga prop Pangai was penalised for three late tackles in Rovers’ 34-28 home defeat to accrue his suspension, while Lewis was sin-binned for catching Warrington’s Ewan Irwin on the ankle with his studs.
Although their bans were not due to kick in until Round 25 next week, the pair have not been included in their 21-man squad to face Toulouse.
Pangai, 30, will miss Rovers’ three remaining regular-season games – against Wigan Warriors, Huddersfield Giants and St Helens – as well as potentially their first play-off match.
The former NRL forward had only recently returned from a six-match ban following an incident with Leeds Rhinos’ Jake Connor and may not play again for Rovers with his contract expiring at the end of the season.
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Lewis, 25, only returned on Tuesday from a four-game suspension incurred because of two incidents in the reverse fixture in July and will miss the Wigan and Huddersfield matches.
The two suspensions are a blow to the Super League champions’ hopes of defending their title and they are currently fifth, six points behind the top two.
Meanwhile, Sam Luckley has escaped a ban for his late tackle and his one penalty point keeps him below the threshold for a suspension.
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