“Foolish” – Jon Wilkin hits out at Adrian Lam suggestion

After Leigh Leopards lost to St Helens, Adrian Lam described the decision to sin bin John Asiata as “outrageous.”

Asiata was sin binned for a low tackle that looked similar to the controversial tackles he used against St Helens in last year’s Challenge Cup semi-finals that led to serious injuries and an RFL rule change.

However, there are certain indicators of foul play under these new rules that were seemingly absent in this incident.

However, Sky Sports pundit was not having any of it. He said: “This is a man who’s done this in a semi-final and he’s turned up to the ground against the team that he’s done it against and has been big up for, they’ve changed the rules and he’s attempted something optically that is almost identical.

“Now I think that’s foolish from him. I don’t think he’ll get any further Bam. I don’t really want to see tackles that endanger people’s heads or legs. I just think let’s move on with it. It’s a yellow card, nothing more.”

This came as Brian Carney suggested that the incident didn’t warrant a yellow card due to certain indicators being absent from the tackle.

The incident will now move on to the Match Review Panel who have the power to deal with the issue unlike last season when they did not.

Jon Wilkin responds to Adrian Lam “outrageous” comment

Wilkin would also respond to Lam described the decision as “outrageous.” He said: “Adrian Lam didn’t think it was a yellow card. I know but whatever. It was a yellow card. ‘Outrageous decision’ he called.

“But it’s foolish for his player to turn up and do something that is optically so similar to what he’s done that’s caused the rules of our game to change. That’s a mark of intent from him. He’s come and done that at the start of the game.”

It will be interesting to see whether or not Asiata is punished with a suspension for this incident. Either way, he seems set to miss next week against Leeds Rhinos and the games after that after suffering a torn calf.