Hull FC interim coach Andy Last has admitted that he was ‘surprised’ by Joe Batchelor copping a season-ending ban, however, he confessed to being ‘stunned’ that Batchelor’s teammate Ligi Sao avoided a charge all together.
Both men were sin binned in the narrow defeat to Warrington Wolves, though Sao’s sin bin was a controversial one as the video referee James Vella had advised a red card, according to the Sky Sports commentary.
Despite that, he was only sent for ten and upon returning, Sao found himself involved in two tackles that caused lower limb injuries but he would avoid any charge, whereas Batchelor landed a two-game ban that has cut short his first season at Hull FC.
Asked about the disciplinary fall-out at his Wednesday afternoon presser, Last conceded that he was ‘surprised’ by both Batchelor’s ban and Sao’s escape.
He told BBC Radio Humberside: “When the news dropped on Monday afternoon and there was no Ligi Sao name on there but obviously Joe Batchelor’s name on there, I was a little bit stunned to be honest.
“I’m glad that Ligi didn’t suffer any suspensions or fines or bans, I’m just a little bit disappointed for Batch.”
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Batchelor’s sin bin came in the first set of the game as Wire’s young centre Arron Lindop took the second carry of the game, however, the heads of both men collided and that ensured a sin bin and would result in a Grade D charge.
“I don’t think it was malicious, it was just unfortunate that it happened in the first 15 seconds of the game,” Last said as he assessed the challenge.
“Both players were travelling at speed, there’s a little bit of mitigation there. Both players lower, Lindop lowers to embrace contact and Batch lowers to make sure the contact isn’t head on head but unfortunately young Lindop gets a HIA, which straight away makes it a Grade D.
“It was difficult to even appeal it because it is head-on-head contact. Batch is disappointed because he was in a good run of form, he’ll certainly be missed because he does a hell of a lot of work for us.”
Last is right that Batchelor has been one of the club’s best in the second half of the season after an injury-affected start and injuries continue to impact other experienced players in the squad.
Neither Zak Hardaker or Cade Cust were named in the 21-man squad following their recent injury issues and when asked if either man could return for the round 27 game against Leeds Rhinos, Last confirmed Cust’s season to be done.
He responded: “Zak, potentially, he’s ran today and hopefully there won’t be any significant soreness tomorrow but we won’t be seeing Cade again.
“He’s been to see the specialist and he’s been told it’s six to eight weeks and that he just needs to rest that shoulder up, so Cade’s played his last game for us this season.”
