Jon Wilkin suggests Super League star could face ban

The Wigan Warriors won the Super League Grand Final and the World Club Challenge in a run of 15 consecutive straight wins since they last lost which came last July in the Challenge Cup against Hull KR.

That day they were reduced to 12 men and the Wigan Warriors suffered that same fate as their winning run came to an end in the worst way possible: losing to their biggest rivals and the side who is the most likely side to take their Super League title away from them.

The Warriors were reduced to 12 men in the first half against the St Helens when Tyler Dupree was sin binned for leading with the forearm but the more detrimental card went to Liam Byrne.

He was sent off for direct contact to the head in the 62nd minute that helped pave the way for the Wigan Warriors to suffer their first defeat of the season.

Super League star set for ban

These two incidents prompted a lot of discussion on Sky Sports.

Former Wigan Warriors star and Super League legend Sam Tomkins said of the initial incident involving Dupree: “I think both guys are lucky that the first impact was on the chest. I think firstly for Dupree, they’re going to red if they caught him in the face first. And if it’s him connecting with the jaw, I think Matty Lees would be in a lot of trouble. So I think it’s fair.”

Jon Wilkin also had his say on the matter as he felt the Wigan Warriors star could now face a man from the Match Review Panel which will be heard on Monday.

Wilkin said on Sky Sports: “Yeah, I think a yellow card is the right decision. Obviously the Match Review panel are going to have a good look at that through the week. It’s just in the chest, but then it’s made contact with his chin. Yeah, he has. I think it’s fair. I still think it’s fair. Yeah, there’s a lot of people who are saying, well, I’m not going to do it. I’m not going to do it.”

Wigan take on Leigh Leopards next.