“It’s not something we need in our game” – Austin stands firm on gouging incident

Blake Austin has stood by the gouging accusation he made to referee Chris Kendall during Warrington’s Super League opener against Wigan.

During a feisty game at the DW Stadium, Austin made the potential gouging known to the official after he was tackled by Morgan Smithies in the first half.

Smithies was subsequently put on report by Kendall and the Wolves halfback remained unequivocal about the incident post match.

“Look, it’s one of them things, you don’t like to make reports but when you have got a 120 kilo prop gouging at your face, it’s not something we need in our game,” said Austin.

“I don’t know what will come of it, but I certainly wouldn’t do it to him so I wouldn’t expect it in return.”

This was just one of a number of big talking points in a pulsating first half, with Chris Hill’s high tackle on Sam Powell resulting in a penalty try and a red card for the Wire captain.

Speaking about the game-changing moment, Austin had sympathy with his teammate and called for consistency from the officials going forward.

“Look, the guy in the middle has got a call to make,” he said. “It was certainly foul play, so as long as we’re going to be consistent and we keep seeing cards all year for them then I’ve got no issues with that.

“He (Hill) did apologise but we told him an apology wasn’t necessary. I think he has to close that gap and he has to attempt to make that tackle.

“There is no way Chris went in to cause that damage, it’s an unfortunate event, the referee has to make a call but there was no malice in it.”

Hill’s sending off was added to in the second-half when Mike Cooper was sent to the sin-bin, meaning the visitors had to play 10 crucial minutes with just 11 men.

Despite their disadvantages, Warrington pushed the Warriors all the way but eventually fell to a more than respectable 16-10 defeat.

Speaking about the performance, Austin admitted they have plenty to take forward into next Thursday’s showdown with champions St Helens.

“Our backs were against the wall and I thought we were the better side for large chunks of that game even though we were down a man.

“We are pleased with how things went. If you lose, you want to go down swinging like that, especially when we were a couple of men down.

“It doesn’t get any easier next week, but luckily we are back at the Halliwell Jones where there will be a big crowd when we take on Saints.”