Napa charged after SL opening round

| February 15, 2022

Former Canterbury enforcer Dylan Napa faces an extended sidelines stint after being charged for a high shot that cut short his UK Super League debut.

The Catalans forward was sent off for a brutal shoulder charge on Mark Percival with nine minutes left in the Super League season opener, a grand final re-match against St Helens. 

Tensions had threatened to boil over in the match with ex-Sydney Roosters NRL title winner Napa involved in a number of previous penalties.

His late high shot almost sparked an all-in brawl before the Saints ran out 28-8 winners.

Napa and Catalans teammate Gil Dudson – who was sin binned in the opening minute of the fiery Saints clash – were both hit with grade D charges by the Rugby Football League’s match review panel.

Grade D charges normally result in a ban of between three and five matches and are automatically referred to the RFL’s operational rules tribunal.

It was a Super League debut to forget for ex-Queensland prop Napa who signed a two year deal with French club Catalans after the Bulldogs opted not to offer him a new contract.

Meanwhile, James Bentley has been hit with a three-match suspension after being sent off on his Leeds debut.

The back-rower was dismissed 16 minutes into Saturday’s 22-20 home defeat to Warrington due to a high shot on Gareth Widdop.

A further six players were banned following the first round fixtures.

Wakefield centre Reece Lyne has landed a three-match suspension for a grade C dangerous contact in the 16-12 defeat to his former club Hull.

Hull back-rower Andre Savelio and Hull KR prop Albert Vete will each miss two games.

Leeds hooker Brad Dwyer, Warrington’s Oliver Holmes and Hull fullback Jake Connor – who was sent off against Wakefield for a swinging arm – received one-match bans.

Players and clubs have until Tuesday morning to decide whether to challenge the rulings.