Hock will hope the ban does not affect his World Cup chances

Wigan's Gareth Hock has been banned for five games and fined �500 after being found guilty of grabbing the referee contrary to the spirit of the game.

The incident, in Wigan's 34-4 home loss to Huddersfield last week, also earned him a red card.

With just five games remaining in the regular season, the ban means Hock may not play again for Wigan this season.

It will also cost him the chance to impress England coach Tony Smith in the build-up to the autumn's World Cup.

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He missed the first two matches after being punished for a dangerous throw in the final game of the 2007 season, was ruled out for another six weeks with a broken thumb and sat out England's win over France in June with a hamstring injury.