Blease plans appeal against life ban

Rugby League

The Salford forward Ian Blease, is to appeal against the severity of his life ban from the game. The former Salford captain was banned sine die last week for striking a touch judge during an Alliance game at Bradford.

After discussions with his club and solicitors over the weekend, Blease has decided to appeal for more lenient treatment in view of his good disciplinary record in over a decade as a professional.

Two players in the World Club Championship, Anthony Swann of Auckland and Penrith's Matt Adamson, have been banned for one game. Swann was placed on report for use of the knee on St Helens' Andy Haigh last Friday, while Adamson was reported for a high tackle during Monday night's victory over Bradford.

The Bradford coach, Matthew Elliott, is another who could be facing disciplinary action. Elliott publicly criticised the referee, David Campbell, after the Penrith game for his lenient attitude to some persistent high tackling from the Australian side. The director of referees, Greg McCallum is privately furious that Elliott, in trouble before for similar remarks, should have sounded off again and the Bulls coach could face a heavy fine.

McCallum has also instructed referees in the World Club Championship to administer the laws at the play-the-ball more strictly. Coaches of British sides have been complaining that Australasian teams have been getting away with illegalities in this area.

The St Helens captain, Bobbie Goulding, is out of the rest of the first phase of the World Club Championship. Goulding has decided to bring forward an operation on a hernia that has troubled him for some time.