Ian Smith explains the difference between Sione Mata’utia and Joe Shorrocks incidents

Hull KR and Leigh Leopards are going to Wembley after they defeated Wigan Warriors and St Helens respectively at the homes of Leeds Rhinos and Warrington Wolves in two brilliant semi-finals.

It is great to see Leigh have a chance to win their first Challenge Cup since 1971 whilst Hull KR are battling to win their first since 1980.

The Robins were involved in the last Challenge Cup Final without Leeds, Wigan, Warrington and St Helens against Castleford Tigers.

Both Hull KR and Leigh won amazing semi-finals to make their way to the Challenge Cup Final at Wembley.

However, both semi-finals were defined by the favourites going down to 12 men.

St Helens were reduced to 12 men for 10 minutes with 20 minutes to go at the Halliwell Jones Stadium when Sione Mata’utia was sin binned for a late hit on Ben Reynolds with Chris Kendall stated that it was “late and with a lot of force.”

This gave Reynolds the chance to nail a decisive penalty that eventually won the game.

As for Wigan, Joe Shorrocks was sent off for making contact with the head of Mikey Lewis and this saw the Warriors surrender control of the game.

These decisions have caused widespread discussion.

Many feel that Shorrocks’ sending off was harsh whilst some have suggested that Mata’utia’s punishment wasn’t strong enough.

There was an argument to be made that Mata’utia deserved to be sent off under the contact with the head rule.

However, former official Ian Smith has stated that the right decisions was made claiming that one was direct contact and the other wasn’t.

Smith said on social media: “No mate. The head can’t rock forward if it’s direct contact. It’s physics not opinions that count on those.

“One was direct contact to the head and one wasn’t hence different coloured cards.”

There has been a lot of talk about these decisions. However, this shouldn’t take away from two great semi-finals.

Furthermore, there is no arguing that neither Hull KR nor Leigh didn’t deserve to reach the final.

Both teams deserve their place in the final and it should be a great occasion at Wembley.