But the fact remains he was clearly guilty of aggressive body language, so appealing that is clearly frivolous IMO other than on the grounds of a bit of whattaboutery/pedantry.

I'd genuinely be interested to see recent examples of players with equally aggressive body language towards refs that Leeds brought up in this defence, becuase Newman's was the worst example I can remember recently.

Was he sinbinned for behaving physically aggressively towards the ref (ie the aggressive body language charge) or verbal abuse - in my mind they are different charges.

It's not a case of having it two ways IMO, more a case of false equivalence.

But the entire appeals system is based around whataboutery - clubs come armed with examples of different gradings as part of their defences. Using it in a pejorative manner like you just did entirely misses the point.

Agree. My understanding is he was not banned for bad language it was aggressive body language.
I may be wrong here but I am led to believe he is the first player ever to be banned for aggressive body language. And of course no other player has been charged with this since.
He may have shown aggressive body language but given this was a first it’s understandable why Newman would appeal a 2 game ban.
I can think of a few players
Down the years who have hounded refs.
Newman serving 3 games for a new RL crime is the same punishment as Singo got for nailing Sironen.
I can’t make sense of what the committee are coming up with.

Why are we still even discussing this. We’ve not had him for best part of 18/12 anyway!

Ironic that Matatutia seen Red in a game he would have been banned for if he hadnt been treated kindly by the Panel.
The rugby gods have spoken lol

Will get a ban for that as well, not sure about it really but you just cannot do it and everybody knows that.
Knowles just had a late hit on the passer, if he doesn’t get 2-3 games for that then something is very wrong because that is exactly what others have been getting 2-3 games for. Not sure how the ref sees that gives a pen and doesn’t give a card

Worse than Prior’s, as he was throwing himself at the kicker, whereas knowles hit hit the passer late. Don’t be expecting anything but a caution to come of it though.

Couldn’t care less what comes of it. Have detached myself from thinking about what the panel do. Not good for ones BP…lol….

Saints keeping the panel busy next week. Could have three banned

To be fair they have been outstanding

Matautia will get a ban cos he can't possibly escape one.
But I'd be surprised if Lees and Knowles do.

10. Matt Prior - 2 matches - due back v Catalan Dragons 30/07
13. Zane Tetevano - 5 matches - due back v Salford Red Devils 07/08
18. Tom Holroyd - 10 matches - due back v Warrington Wolves 19/08

Injuries
7. Aidan Sezer - Hand?
20. Tom Briscoe - Ankle?
28. Max Simpson - Ankle?

May return this week

6. Blake Austin - Leg
9. Kruise Leeming - Foot
33. Zak Hardaker - Leg

Walters charged but not banned.

Blair gets 2 games for elbowing someone in the face with force.

Are the disciplinary panel seriously saying that its worth the same as Prior tackling someone slightly late?