The Hull FC hooker was placed on report for the tackle.
Hull FC hooker Amir Bourouh. (Image: SW PIX)
Andy Last is hoping for a positive outcome for Hull FC hooker Amir Bourouh in Monday’s RFL Match Review Panel verdict.
The Black and Whites dummy half was placed on report in the first half of Hull’s 36-12 victory over Huddersfield Giants on Sunday afternoon after what looked like a cannonball tackle on Mathieu Cozza.
No card was given to Bourouh at the time, with Last offering an important defence for his player, who produced a stern attacking showing in the victory, including one try and a try assist.
But he now faces a nervous wait ahead of Monday’s disciplinary outcome, particularly having served a one-match ban last month after a Grade C head contact offence.
Bourouh’s penalty points, six at the time of the ban, would have been shelved somewhat after completion of the suspension, but any Grade C charge or higher would put him back in the threshold for another ban. However, Last is hoping the first point of contact here will serve as a key point of defence.
Speaking to Hull Live, the Hull FC interim head coach said: “Initially, I thought it looked a little bit naughty, but when I watched it back, the first point of contact is the bum cheeks and then he slides down into the crease of the knee and the knee naturally then collapses.
“I’m hoping he doesn’t receive anything too significant. I don’t think there was much in it, and the fact that the lad got up and carried on – that bodes well for us.”
Elaborating on his point, Last added: “If (that first contact) was on the knee, or the back of the knee, or the side of the knee, then that’s naughty, but the first point of contact was quite clearly on the but cheeks and then he slides down and naturally goes down. That’s why the player destabilised and went to ground. I hope there won’t be anything in that.”
Hull Live also asked Huddersfield head coach Jim Lenihan about the tackle, with the Giants coach having no issue with the incident.