AKAUOLA MUST SIT OUT FINAL

WARRINGTON forward Sitaleki Akauola is out of Saturday’s Challenge Cup final against Catalans after losing his appeal against a one-match ban.

He was adjudged to have “forcefully twisted, bent or otherwise applied pressure” to the legs of Castleford’s Mitch Clark last Friday.

Akauola (right) attended a hearing in Leeds last night to plead guilty but challenge the severity of the grade A charge – which was rejected by the disciplinary panel.

The Tonga international has served two separate bans already this season and is now expected to be replaced on the bench by George King.

Wolves coach Steve Price said: “I’m confident that the players can come in and do a job for us – as they have done all year.”