Hastings avoids sanction for making contact with injured Bradford player

Jackson Hastings has avoided a sanction from the RFL after touching injured Bradford player Will Gardiner during St Helens' victory on Saturday; watch Super League's Magic Weekend across July 4 and 5 from Hill Dickinson Stadium, live on Sky Sports

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>Jackson Hastings has not been charged by the RFL's Match Review Panel (MRP) after he appeared to touch injured Bradford forward Will Gardiner during St Helens' 40-10 victory over the Bulls on Saturday.

>Gardiner suffered a serious concussion towards the end of the match and was carried from the field on a stretcher before he was taken to hospital.

>Hastings had looked to check on the 25-year-old's wellbeing and had placed his hand on Gardiner, an obvious show of concern for the injured player.

>Thankfully, Gardiner is now recovering at home following the injury.

>In Super League, it is an offence for a player to make contact or move an injured opponent, but speculation had arisen that the Saints player could be sanctioned as a result, after other players have been sanctioned for making contact with injured players throughout the 2026 season.

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>Semi Valemei was notably given a three-match ban after he placed St Helens' player Noah Stephens in the recovery position during Saints' 30-10 defeat by Castleford Tigers.

>It means Hastings is available for selection for the derby game against Wigan Warriors during Magic Weekend.

>St Helens forward Alex Walmsley, meanwhile, was handed five penalty points for a dangerous conduct charge after he was put on report for a 'chicken wing' tackle in the first 40 minutes of the match.

>He was subsequently fined over the incident, while Shane Wright, who was sin-binned in the first half, was also fined after being handed five penalty points.

>Hull KR confirmed on Monday that Tevita Pangai Junior has been banned for six games after he was handed a Grade F charge by the MRP for 'gouging' a Leeds Rhinos player during the team's 34-8 loss at Headingley on Friday.

>It means he will miss the side's derby match against Hull FC at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Saturday, as well as their return fixture at the MKM Stadium on July 23.

>He will be eligible to return for the side's home game against Catalans Dragons on August 13.

>The news comes as a blow for Rovers as the Tonga international has had a big impact on his side over his first three games for the club.

>He signed for the Robins in May until the end of the season and made 16 tackles during their clash with Leeds.

>The club could appeal the decision, and may well do so, in the hope the 30-year-old can return to cover for injured props Sauaso Sue and Sam Luckley.

>Hull KR's James Batchelor was also fined by the MRP after he was given a Grade B charge for 'head contact' during the match.

>Guillermo Aispuro-Bichet and Franck Maria will miss Catalans Dragons' derby match against Toulouse this weekend at the Stade Pierre-Fabre after both players were handed bans by the MRP.

>During the Dragons' two-point defeat by Warrington, Aispuro-Bichet was put on report following a tackle on Wolves youngster Arron Lindop, that head coach Sam Burgess described as "very ugly".

>With Lindop expected to miss six weeks of action due to the injury, Aispuro-Bichet was also handed a Grade D charge and a two-match ban.

>Maria was handed a one-match ban for a Grade B charge of head contact.

>York Knights centre Sam Wood was also hit with a Grade D dangerous contact charge during his side's 20-14 defeat of Castleford Tigers.

>He will now be suspended for the Knights' game against Huddersfield Giants during the first day of Super League Magic Weekend.

>Sky Sports will show every game of the Super League live this season, including two matches each round exclusively live. The remaining five matches will be broadcast on Sky Sports+