Leeds Rhinos star hits back at suggestion he ‘milked’ a sin bin

Leeds Rhinos star Rhyse Martin has hit back at the suggestion he stayed down after a high shot in order to ‘milk’ a sin bin during the Rhinos 30-4 win over Wigan Warriors.

Martin copped a high shot and was very slow to get up and during the elapsed time it appeared that the video referee looked at the incident and recommended that Wigan’s Adam Keighran be sent to the sin bin.

Referee Liam Moore explained to Keighran and Wigan’s captain Liam Farrell that an accumulation of high tackles was the reason why the Australian was sent to the bin with the centre having previously been warned.

Sky Sports commentators Dave Woods and Barrie McDermott both commented on the fact Martin was perceived to have stayed down and ‘milked’ the sin bin, something that has been a point of contention across Super League this season.

Martin promptly got back to his feet and kicked the resulting penalty whilst Leeds Rhinos wrapped the win up with James McDonnell’s try five minutes later whilst they had the man advantage.

Post-game, the Papua New Guinean forward was quizzed on the incident and whether he had deliberately stayed down to force the referee into a decision.

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It was something that Martin refuted and he actually clarified that it wasn’t Adam Keighran at fault but instead the other Wigan man in the tackle.

Speaking on Sky Sports post-game, he explained: “The high tackle wasn’t actually from Adam Keighran, it was the front rower who got me straight on the button with his shoulder. My nose is a bit flat already but he definitely got me.

“It (staying down to earn a penalty) was not intentional. He got me good.”

Rhyse Martin will leave Leeds Rhinos at the end of the season but he’s been one of the club’s very best second-rowers in recent years and he was keen to offer praise to another in his position who was also on the end of a shot to the head.

James Bentley copped an arm to the face from Harry Smith late on, for which the Wigan man was sent off, and Martin spoke on the Irish international’s talent at getting under the opposition’s skin.

He explained: “Bentos (James Bentley) is one of those players that is great at it (getting under opponent’s skin) but he can also be on the other end of that where he’s the one getting red carded.

“They weren’t able to keep control of him but he’s a master at it. His teammates have got trust in him that he’s going to do his job now.

“He’s really mindful of those times where he can cost the team and it really affects the outcome so he’s putting in the effort and it’s nice to see him not yet be on the other side of that. He was amazing today.”

Leeds Rhinos pulled within four points of the playoff spots with the win whilst Wigan missed out on an opportunity to return top of Super League.