What the RFL must answer after the Wigan St Helens clash

VaselineJuly 13, 2024

0 2 minutes read

What the RFL must answer after the Wigan St Helens clash

It’s rare for Wigan Warriors and St Helens fans to agree on anything, but following a dramatic Super League derby yesterday, there was consensus on something the RFL needs to do.

A game where both sides were without key players, we still witnessed a classic at the Brick Community Stadium.

Saints took a surprise early lead in the face of play after Sironen, Robertson and Welsby combined to ensure their first break culminated in their first try of the night.

However, Zach Eckersley made a break to ensure the Warriors went into the break level.

Saints went ahead again through Waqa Blake but Wigan eventually won the game after tries from Adam Keighran and Eckersley made it a night to remember in his illustrious career.

It was bad news, however, for Wigan Warriors on the injury front as Bevan French will be out of action for around two months after rupturing his hamstring.

What the RFL must answer after the Wigan St Helens clash

Kaide Ellis of Wigan Warriors against St Helens

Credit: Imago Images

The main controversy of the night came from an early yellow card for St Helens man Matty Lees for a tackle on Kaide Ellis.

Ellis took some time to get up after the tackle, holding his nose and mouth – and after that delay, Lees was sent off for ten for a high tackle.

There have been suggestions that

It would have only been a penalty if Ellis hadn’t stayed down and the video ref wouldn’t have looked at it if he hadn’t.

Players from both sides were seen doing this throughout the game, leading many to suggest that something should be done about it.

I really didn’t like seeing players from Wigan and St Helens stay down after feeling head contact until the referee stopped play to try and draw penalties and yellow cards.

It happened several times tonight. But I can’t blame the players when they are rewarded for doing it.

— The Tryline 🏉 (@TrylineUK) July 12, 2024

The @RFLReferees they need to stop allowing players to fake injuries, sit down and call for decisions. Tonight was a farce. If the referee misses, play on. The low was going to end very quickly. Change the rules, don’t even show the replay on the screen.

– Sad! (@rlfansSaddened) July 12, 2024

Players staying down for punishment is all. #RugbyLeague pic.twitter.com/fhQ6cOGJom

— Gavin Wilson (@GavWilson) July 12, 2024

This is a phenomenon that has also been seen Down Under and the NRL has taken steps to reduce the number of players sitting down.

NRL head of football Graham Annesley confirmed the “independent remote doctor” will ensure players who “stand up” are then subjected to 15-minute head injury assessments.

This sort of thing could be coming to Super League in the coming years.

More on the NRL rule change can be found here.

VaselineJuly 13, 2024

0 2 minutes read