Minchella has been suspended for two matches.
Hull Kingston Rovers have requested a deferred hearing for their appeal against captain Elliot Minchella’s two-match ban, starting with Friday night’s game against Leeds Rhinos, due to the unavailability of their preferred defence team.
Minchella received the ban for a high tackle on Matt Moylan during Rovers’ 24-0 win over Leigh Leopards, which resulted in a sin-binning and was classified as Grade C contact. While Rovers have accepted the guilty plea, they are contesting the severity of the ban, risking a frivolous appeal ruling.
The hearing was initially scheduled for Tuesday evening, but with Rovers’ final league position still in play—they could finish first, second, or third—the outcome is crucial. A top-two finish would secure a home semi-final, while third place would require an additional eliminator game before the semi-finals.
After the game against Leigh, Hull KR head coach Willie Peters commented: “I need to review it, but it’s one of those situations where players are rising and then dropping, making it tough to execute a perfect tackle. I don’t believe there was any intent. It’s just a matter of waiting until Monday to see what the decision will be. Hopefully, they recognize it for what it is. I’m certain he didn’t intentionally swing an arm to hit Matty Moylan in the head. It was accidental.”
Opposition coach Adrian Lam also weighed in, saying: “I don’t think those types of incidents warrant a sin-bin, but given how things have gone this year, it’s just how it is. There will be another time to discuss that issue.”