Wigan Warriors’ Matt Peet questions consistency in high tackles, sure Liam Byrne won’t be suspended – Total Rugby League

MATT PEET has questioned the consistency of refereeing decisions in Super League as he expressed full confidence that Liam Byrne will be available for Wigan’s Challenge Cup semi-final against Hull KR this Saturday.

Byrne was booked in the Warriors’ win over Huddersfield for high contact on opposition prop Matty English in the first tackle of the match.

The RFL has led a crackdown on head contact this season, with stricter punishment both on the field through bookings and off the field through fines and suspensions.

But Wigan manager Peet said: “Sometimes I watch the game and I can’t see the difference (between the incidents).

“I’m not saying it’s a wrong decision (to show Byrne a yellow). What I can’t see is consistency from one tall tackle to another.”

Byrne has only recently returned from a four-match suspension for a high tackle, but Peet expects the striker to stay out of the disciplinary panel.

He said: “I am confident he will (be available). If he misses today, I don’t think he will be the only one. I thought there were (other) similar contacts. I expect it to be good.”

Wigan will travel to the Eco-Power Stadium in Doncaster on Saturday with a clean bill of health – only Willie Isa is ruled out due to his long-term injury – and on the back of two strong results.

Saturday’s 48-6 win over Huddersfield followed a 30-8 victory over the Catalans, regaining the momentum lost when they were beaten at the end of April by their semi-final opponents Hull KR.

Peet added: “You want to keep the momentum going and keep getting better. You know when you have a good day, you have to keep working hard.

“Two weeks ago we were beaten (by Hull KR) so we have to stay level.”

The clash with the Robins is also a repeat of last year’s Cup semi-final, when Wigan were beaten in golden time by a Brad Schneider field goal.

First published in League Express Newspaper Issue 3,430 (13 May 2024)

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