Disciplinary Panel address “dangerous” John Asiata tackle

Leigh Leopards won the Challenge Cup Final defeating Hull KR at Wembley to win a first Challenge Cup since 1971 which was of course lifted by skipper John Asiata.

However, the loose-forward was at the centre of a controversy heading into the final after the semi-final against St Helens.

Asiata injured four St Helens players with low tackles. Morgan Knowles suffered a knock, Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook missed a month of action and he ended the seasons of Alex Walmsley and Agnatius Paasi.

Paasi’s knee was “blown to smithereens” in the words of Paul Wellens who slammed the decision not to ban Asiata.

Paasi did his MCL, ACL and ankle ligaments in the tackle which is perhaps why Elliot Minchella wasn’t best pleased when there was a similar tackle from Asiata at Wembley.

This tackle was cited under “dangerous contact” by the Match Review Panel today who didn’t believe the tackle warranted punishment stating:

“Player makes initial contact with the thigh on opponent who is moving forwards.”

Interestingly, BBC pundit Johnathon Davies described his technique as a “proper tackle.”

“There’s been an awful lot of comments and questions about the high tackles in recent years, but that’s a proper tackle,” he said.

“There is one thing that he does get wrong; he gets his head in the wrong position. He’s going to injure himself more than he injures the ball carrier there.

“For me, there’s nothing wrong with that tackle. It’s a low tackle and a fuss over nothing.”

So Davies will be pleased not to see Asiata punished but it does raise a question about what next for the tackle technique in the months and years to come.

Following the Betfred Challenge Cup Final and latest Betfred Super League fixture, the Match Review Panel have issued the following sanctions:

Elliott Minchella (Hull KR) – Grade B Other Contrary Behaviour – 1 Match Penalty Notice
Chris Hill (Huddersfield Giants) – Grade A High Tackle – Not Applicable
Matty Lees (St Helens) – Grade C High Tackle – 2 Match Penalty Notice
Joe Greenwood (Huddersfield Giants) – Grade B Striking – £250 Fine
Olly Russell (Huddersfield Giants) – Grade B Dangerous Contact – £250 Fine
The following player was handed a caution:

Matty English (Huddersfield Giants) – Dangerous Contact