Tevita Pangai Junior faces six-game ban after Headingley gouge

Hull KR forward Tevita Pangai Junior has been handed a six-match ban and fined by the Rugby Football League for gouging during Friday’s 34-8 defeat at Headingley against Leeds Rhinos. The incident involving Leeds’ Jake Connor occurred during the match, which saw Pangai Junior’s side suffer a heavy loss. The Tonga international will miss Hull KR’s Magic Weekend fixture against Hull FC at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Saturday, marking the start of his suspension. He is unavailable until the home game against Catalans Dragons on 13 August, a span covering five weeks of Super League action.

The ban is one of 22 charges announced by the RFL on Monday, with four players set to serve suspensions. York Knights’ Sam Wood and Catalans Dragons’ Guillermo Aispuro-Bichet each receive two-match bans for dangerous contact, while Aispuro-Bichet’s teammate Franck Maria faces a one-game ban for contact with the head. Hull KR have not confirmed whether they will appeal the decision.

Pangai Junior, 30, joined Hull KR in May on a deal running until the end of the season after previously featuring 23 times for Catalans Dragons in 2025. His absence will disrupt Hull KR’s plans for their Magic Weekend clash, a high-profile fixture at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium. The Robins’ next competitive outing after the ban is scheduled against Catalans Dragons on 13 August.

The RFL’s disciplinary panel confirmed the punishments following Monday’s announcement of 22 charges across multiple incidents. St Helens’ Jackson Hastings avoided punishment for an incident involving Bradford Bulls’ Will Gardiner, where he checked on the injured player’s welfare.