FORMER Warrington Wolves centre Peta Hiku could face a lengthy suspension to rule him out of the early part of next season.

The New Zealander – now with Hull KR – has been sanctioned by the Match Review Panel for an incident during the first half of Saturday’s Super League Grand Final.

The panel have deemed Hiku’s contact with grounded Wigan Warriors forward Junior Nsemba is worthy of a Grade E charge of unnecessary contact with a player who is/may be injured.

Hiku’s case will be referred straight to the Operational Rules Tribunal but if found guilty, he faces a suspension of up to five matches.

The centre has been selected by New Zealand for their Pacific Championship matches, which could count towards any ban being served, but he would almost certainly miss the opening rounds of the 2025 season if the charge is upheld.

England have also been dealt a potential blow after Wigan Warriors prop Luke Thompson was handed a one-match penalty notice following a charge of Grade B dangerous contact.

Should Wigan choose to accept the charge, the front-rower would be ruled out of the first of two Test matches against Samoa at Wigan’s Brick Community Stadium on Sunday, October 27, if head coach Shaun Wane selects him as part of his squad.