One key incident in Leeds Rhinos’ Super League victory over Huddersfield Giants was of particular interest to many.
Prior to a Leeds Rhinos try, Sam Lisone seemed to go into a tackle leading with his elbow into the face of Oli Russell, the defender.
Play continued quickly, and seconds later, the Rhinos went further ahead – minutes before half-time.
Many suggested he should have been red carded.
Brian Carney explained why it couldn’t be checked by the video referee: “Because a play of the ball happens after that, the video referee can’t do anything other than recommend it gets put on report. So what you would say then is to no, stay down, stay down.
So we want to get rid of people who dive in our game, and the rules then absolutely encourage you to stay down.”
Jon Wilkin was unhappy, saying: “It’s using the rules as an excuse. Like if you have another play the ball, what you’re saying is, right, Oli Russell, stay on the ground. Oli Russell, make a meal of this. And do you know what Oli Russell did?
“And we’ve got to stand up for these sorts of people. Oli Russell got up from this. If he stays down, his team are advantaged. And that’s wrong.
“That should be eradicated from the game. The video ref should be able to make a call on that.”
Former Super League ref verdict on Huddersfield v Leeds controversial moment
Sam Lisone. Credit: Imago Images
Former Super League referee Richard Silverwood, however, did not agree that it should have been a sending-off.
He said, via Twitter: “Nothing in the Lisone for me. Arm is tucked in on impact then it comes up.”
He continued: “He pushes up after impact and elbow is into the face agreed but initial impact his arm his tucked in. Happy to be proved wrong but that’s my opinion”
