The start of Josh McGuire’s Super League career has become engulfed in controversy with the former Australia and Queensland representative banned for seven matches after being dismissed during Warrington’s final pre-season fixture against Leigh.
The forward was sent from the field and later slapped with a Grade F charge by The Rugby Football League, citing how he had used “unacceptable language” towards an opponent.
Why has Josh McGuire been banned for seven matches?
Appearing in a testimonial match for his new club to celebrate Warrington and Ireland forward Ben Currie, the firebrand was sent from the field after becoming involved in a heated incident with fellow Australian Tom Amone.
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“Josh McGuire has been found guilty of using Unacceptable Language (disability discrimination) towards an opponent during his side’s recent pre-season game against Leigh Leopards at the Halliwell Jones Stadium,” an RFL statement noted.
“McGuire was dismissed during the match and referred to tribunal on a Grade F charge carrying a minimum six-match suspension. He is also fined £1,000 and required to undertake mandatory education. McGuire will face a seven-match suspension.”
Amone was also sent to the tribunal for his part in the incident but was found not guilty of the same charge.
OFFICIAL STATEMENT: Leigh’s Tom Amone, who was referred to the independent tribunal on a Grade F charge of using Unacceptable Language, was found not guilty.
— Leigh Leopards (@LeighRLFC_) February 14, 2023
*The definition of ‘Unacceptable Language’ is stated on page 8 of the RFL’s Operational Rules. pic.twitter.com/EGoXqgWmXJ
McGuire’s suspension continues a career trend where he has been unable to keep himself out of trouble.
In his final year in the NRL at the Dragons, he had to serve a five-match suspension to start the season, stemming from two separate careless high tackle charges during his side’s final round loss to the Rabbitohs in 2021.
This came after he was also rubbed out for five matches earlier in his debut campaign for St George when he was cited for a hip drop tackle on Josh Addo-Carr during Magic Round.
In total, he missed 10 games through suspension in 2021, while being hit with another five charges in the two years prior which led to him being labelled as a liability during the final stages of his playing days in Australia.
When will Josh McGuire return from suspension for Warrington?
McGuire had revealed in the off-season that he had rejected the chance to play for Samoa in the Rugby League World Cup, in favour of settling in at his new club.
The 32-year-old expressed his desire to lead from the front for Warrington after they endured a miserable season in 2022 which eventually concluded with an 11th placed finish which is their worst ever finish in Super League.
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“I was going to play the World Cup with Samoa,” he told the Warrington Guardian.
“I talked with Daryl Powell and Karl (Fitzpatrick, chief executive) about it, we discussed it and decided it was best for me to come straight over and hit the ground running in pre-season.
“If I did play in the World Cup, I wouldn’t have been here until January. I would have missed the chance to build these relationships with the boys.”
However, McGuire is now set to miss the first quarter of Wolves’ season and will not be allowed to make his debut until April at the earliest.
What is the longest suspension ever issued in the Super League?
McGuire has continued a recent pattern of former NRL players copping large suspensions after moving to the UK.
Former Sydney Roosters forward Dylan Napa got off to an eerily similar start for Catalans in 2022 when he was sent off during his debut for the French outfit.
After collecting St Helens’ Mark Percival high with a brutal head shot, he was given his marching orders and was handed a four-match ban, before he was also issued with a five-match ban for striking later in the season.
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Last year, former Parramatta forward Kenny Edwards was also suspended for 10 games after an independent tribunal ruled that he had made inappropriate contact on Catalans’ prop Sam Kasiano.
Although these suspensions pale in comparison to the largest ban ever issued in the Super League with Ben Flower making headlines around the world during the 2014 grand final.
The prop punched Saints playmaker Lance Hohaia and then proceeded to strike the Kiwi again while he lay unconscious on the ground.
Flower was sent off and charged for a Grade F offence that carried a minimum eight-week ban, although the Welsh international was eventually suspended for six months.
