Wigan Warriors had won 15 games in a row since they lost in the Challenge Cup semi-finals in July 2023 to Hull KR.
Their winning run saw them finish top of Super League in 2023, go on to win the Super League Grand Final against Catalans Dragons before even defeating the threepeat NRL Champions Penrith Panthers in the World Club Challenge.
However, that winning run came to an abrupt end against their biggest rivals St Helens. This came despite the fact they led 4-2 against the Saints with 18 minutes to go but a red card for Liam Byrne changed the complexion of the game and they lost 12-4.
Sam Tomkins has say on Wigan Warriors red card
Credit Imago Images
The red card for Wigan Warriors star Liam Byrne was a massive talking in the game and Sam Tomkins was not sure of the decision.
The former Wigan Warriors star spoke on Sky Sports and didn’t seem sure of the decision but did concede it was probably the right decision.
Tomkins said: “I’m not sure what it would be because we feel there’s been a change in the application of the rules. A red in Rounds 1 and 2? Yes, absolutely, it would have been a red card. We had question marks whether or not it would have been a red card. Was it the right decision to show him red? I’m not too sure. I think there’s arguments both ways. It probably has to be a red just because of how forceful this was.
“You know, Mark Percival’s a tough man. He himself was a red card though against Salford. Yeah, for a head on head. Exactly. The fact that Percival stayed down, and it takes a lot to keep him down, the force of it, you’d have to say, is direct. It’s got to be an effort.
“We talked about the stress it puts on a defence in the first half of 10 minutes. To have it for the last 20 minutes of a game when the hearts are already pumping out the chest, you know, they’re clinging on to a game-wig and to put that extra stress on them, I think that was pivotal. you know, they’re clinging on to a game and to put that extra stress on them, I think that was pivotal.”
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ian halliwell
March 31, 2024 at 12:55 pm
Another unnecessary red card ruined a brilliant game.
steven smith
March 31, 2024 at 9:51 pm
Why is it that the ref have it in for the wigan player’s I seen worse one than that and never get done for it so in the game why are the players of St keep putting there heads down when anyone goes for them well it’s about time they get done for doing that because they going to get hit in the head