Leeds Rhinos pair Zane Tetevano and Harry Newman have been handed five and three-match bans respectively - with the Super League club not only failing in an attempt to get Newman's ban reduced, but actually seeing it increased instead. Tetevano and Newman both appeared in front of a tribunal this evening after incidents in last week's defeat to St Helens.
Tetevano was sent off for a dangerous tackle on Konrad Hurrell and the tribunal imposed a lengthy five-match ban on the forward, ruling him out for a prolonged period for the Rhinos once again. It is the latest in a growing line of disciplinary issues Leeds have had to contend with regarding Tetevano.
But the bigger blow is arguably the loss of Newman. Leeds opted to fight the charge of aggressive language towards match official Tom Grant in the closing stages of last week's loss to the reigning champions. They were hopeful it would at least be reduced by half to one match, only ruling him out of this week's trip to Hull.
Zane Tetevano troubles leave Leeds Rhinos handling a seemingly unfixable issue
But instead, Newman's ban was increased after the tribunal considered the appeal frivolous. It means Newman is now ruled out of the club's next three matches.
There is a ready-made replacement in Liam Sutcliffe, who wasn't selected for the St Helens defeat last week. But Newman's absence leaves Leeds without one of their most exceptional talents for a crucial run of games once again, just weeks after he returned to full fitness following a long-term hamstring injury.
Leeds are also without Bodene Thompson for the next two games after he was charged with tripping last week.
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