You are in > manchester.com  > News > Leeds winger Smith could miss Grand Final

Rugby League

Leeds winger Smith could miss Grand Final

29/09/2008

Leeds Rhinos star Lee Smith could face Super League Grand Final heartache if found guilty of deliberately kicking an opposition player in the face.

The incident occurred during the semi-final eliminator win over the Wigan Warriors last Friday, when Smith kicked Wigan forward Phil Bailey with his studs. Referee Steve Ganson put the 22-year-old on report and it is now up to a disciplinary panel to decide tomorrow if Smith's actions were intentional.

The Rhinos winger, who scored two of his side's three tries in the win over Wigan, could face a four game ban if found guilty – which would rule him out of the showpiece event at Old Trafford on Saturday.

Leeds coach Brian McClennan faces an anxious wait to see if he will have one of his key players available for the tussle against St Helens, but was confident the decision would go in favour of his side.

"We've got faith in the judiciary system," said McClennan, who has led the Rhinos to the final in his first season at the club.

"We'll see how it goes but I'm fairly confident we'll be okay. You've always got contingency plans but we're not going to go too far down that road.

"We've a few bumps and bruises but on the whole we're okay and I'm pretty confident we'll name the same 19 as last week."

Ryan Hall is expected to replace Smith in the Leeds squad if the winger is banned, while hooker Matt Diskin has been cleared to play, despite being put on report for a high tackle against Wigan.