John Asiata tackle sparks scuffle at the start of the Challenge Cup Final

Just minutes into the Challenge Cup Final between Leigh Leopards and Hull KR, we nearly had our first fight and it all centred around something that has been making a lot of headlines lately.

John Asiata’s tackle technique has been debated endlessly in recent weeks after the Challenge Cup semi-final win over St Helens.

That day Asiata injured four St Helens stars with low tackles. Morgan Knowles suffered a knock, Louis McCarthy-Scarsbrook was out for nearly a month and the seasons of Alex Walmsley and Agnatius Paasi were ended.

Paul Wellens said that Paasi’s knee was “blown to smithereens” as he did his MCL, ACL and ankle ligaments.

Jon Wilkin said these low tackles were “incredibly dangerous” on social media.

Asiata went low in Leigh’s first defensive set and Hull KR took exception to the tackle technique sparking a push and shove around the play the ball.

Started by Hull KR, Leigh were given a penalty and took the lead via Ben Reynolds.

In terms of team news, for Leigh it is mostly as you would expect but a big call is that veteran Joe Wardle has been left out of the side as 18th man.

Beyond that, it is as you would expect. Gareth O’Brien starts at fullback forming a spine with Ben Reynolds and Lachlan Lam in the halves with Edwin Ipape as the hooker.

John Asiata, after all that controversy, starts at 13. In the backs we see Josh Charnley and Tom Briscoe provide cup final experience on the wings as Zak Hardaker and Ed Chamberlain start in the centres.

Tom Amone, Rob Mulhern, Kai O’Donnell and Jack Hughes make up the pack.

On the bench, Adrian Lam has Joe Mellor, Oliver Holmes, Ben Nakubuwai and Matty Davis.

Hull KR had a big call to make on two time cup winner Ryan Hall who won the Lance Todd trophy in 2014.

He has been injured since the semi-final and the question was would the Robins risk him.

Meanwhile, there was also a question over where Mikey Lewis would play. Would he start on the bench, at fullback or would either of Schneider and Rowan Milnes be dropped?

That question has been answered with Willie Peters naming Lewis at fullback.

He has also risked Ryan Hall on the wing so there is no Louis Senior.

Jez Litten starts at nine ahead of Matt Parcell. Brad Schneider and Rowan Milnes of course start in the halves with Lewis at fullback.

Elliot Minchella is given the nod at loose forward as many expected. Shaun Kenny-Dowall will captain the side from centre with Tom Opacic on the other side.

Rhys Kennedy and George King start at prop with James Batchelor and Kane Linnett the pair of back rowers.

The bench is made up of Matty Storton, Dean Hadley and Sam Luckley.