Rugby league is back and whilst there has been some excellent action, the conversation has generally surrounded discipline and that was no different as Warrington Wolves travelled to face Catalans Dragons.
Sam Burgess couldn’t have asked for a tougher game to start his coaching career, on the road in France to last season’s Grand Finalists to face the man who handed him his debut in Steve McNamara.
Despite leading 4-0 just minutes before the half-time hooter Warrington Wolves surrendered their lead through a sloppy try and went on to lose 16-10.
There looked to have been a lifeline handed to them when Catalans hooker Micky McIlorum was sent off on the first tackle of the second half, the Englishman adjudged to have made contact with the head.
As such Warrington Wolves played 30 of the 40 minutes in the second half with a man advantage but they simply couldn’t make it pay, much to the dismay of fans.
“The games gone” – Fans react to controversial Warrington Wolves sin bin
Jordy Crowther saw yellow controversially for Warrington Wolves. – Picture by Olly Hassell/SWpix.com – Copyright: x xSWpix.comxt/axPhotographyxHubxLtdxOllyxHassell/SWpix.comx SWP-2298-0029
The reason that Warrington only had a man advantage for 30 of the 40 minutes in the second half was due to Jordy Crowther’s very controversial sin bin with the ex-Wakefield Trinity man sent for ten for his shot on Romain Navarrete.
Navarrete was running a support line and Crowther lined the Frenchman up but the ball didn’t come and Crowhter was deemed to have made contact with the Catalans man’s head.
There were some questions regarding Navarrete’s play-acting and the fact that he didn’t go for a HIA, but Crowrhter clearly had no eyes for the ball and did make contact regardless of how soft it was.
Despite that, it left neutrals and Warrington Wolves’ fans raging with the decision.
One user on X, formerly Twitter, called out Navarette’s collapse to the ground after some on social media had suggested players had learned to play for penalties.
They posted: “Player (Navarrete) runs into him (Crowther) and he gets sent off. Makes a joke of the game cheating like this.”
Another added: “I don’t like the phrase “the games gone” but if that’s a sin binning then the game really has gone.”
Warrington Wolves provided updates on the game via X and in response to their post about Crowther’s controversial sin bin, one fan responded simply: “Pack rugby up, it’s over.”
For many though it was the decision-making of the team that cost Warrington Wolves a third consecutive victory in the south of France.
One fan claimed: “First half not bad, some discipline issues but otherwise not bad. Second half absolutely embarrassing! Poor discipline, poor defence, poor attack. Looking like last season all over again!!”
Another joked: “Burgess out,” highlighting that rugby league truly is back with fan meltdowns and overreactions.
First half not bad, some discipline issues but otherwise not bad.
Second half absolutely embarrassing!
Poor discipline, poor defence, poor attack.
Looking like last season all over again!!
— Damien aka Techno (@Damienc1985) February 17, 2024
