Hull KR head coach has admitted hooker John Boudebza was close to tears after being handed a four match ban.
Boudebza was charge with a Grade B dangerous contact offence for a tackle that has potentially ended Michael Shenton’s season.
Normally that charge carries a maximum two game ban, however the RFL disciplinary committee felt the need to increase the ban given the circumstances.
It was a ruling that is thought to have deeply upset the Hull KR hooker.
“John was gutted – he was close to tears on Monday night. He wears his heart on his sleeve and he just loves playing for this club, being here and being involved on a day-to-day basis with the boys. He was heartbroken.” Chester told the Hull Daily Mail.
“We thought the tackle was purely accidental but we can’t forget that Michael Shenton is out for the season.
“We’re disappointed for him and the Castleford side as a whole.
“I spoke to Daryl Powell (Castleford coach) at length about it and he knows we don’t coach anybody to go at their knees. And that’s not what John did.
“He’s in a tackle and the player has fallen awkwardly.
“We could have copped a two-game ban, but the fact that they took away the early guilty plea that John had on offer, we felt was a little harsh.”
Boudebza’s suspension means KR will be without a recognised hooker for the next four games, with Shaun Lunt currently dealing with an ankle injury.
However, Chester believes his side will cope.
“Moving forward I thought George (Lawler’s) efforts were fantastic at the weekend from hooker. He’s a good young, fit kid, if not the fittest at the club.
“He wanted to play more minutes last weekend and we’ll need him to play a hell of a lot more minutes this weekend at Warrington.”
