Wigan Warriors’ quest for a record 21st Challenge Cup and a second Challenge Cup in a row under Matt Peet ended at Leeds Rhinos’ Headingley Stadium where it began as they lost to Hull KR in a great semi-final.
That being said, there is no getting away from the fact that the big moment of the game was Joe Shorrocks’ red card at the start of the second half.
Shorrocks went in full blooded on Mikey Lewis. Lewis stayed down after the incident prompting video referee Ben Thaler to have a look at the incident where it was spotted that Joe Shorrocks’ shoulder connected with the chin of Mikey Lewis hence a red card was shown due to “direct contact with the head.”
After the game Wigan boss Matt Peet had his say on the matter: “I don’t think I’m going to make any comment on it to be honest. It is a big call in a big game.
“I don’t know how if the player is that dazed, I don’t know how he stays on after a head injury assessment.
“The referee makes the call, it is what it is.”
When asked about Joe Shorrock’s reaction, he said: “He’s upset and confused.”
This was before he highlighted the fact Liam Moore is from Wigan: “A partisan crowd, a referee from Wigan who feels under the spotlight. We just have to be better and deal with it.”
When asked if it should have been a different official, Peet said: “I am not commenting on that, it was a massive call and I wonder if that was a sin bin would everyone say it should have been a red.
“It was a big call to make, that and Mikey Lewis didn’t get checked out even though he was staggering all over the place.
“If that was our player we would have brought him off.”
Now Wigan have to turn their focus on the Super League whilst Hull KR can look forward to a Challenge Cup Final against Leigh Leopards on August 12th.
It will be the first time since 1986 that none of Leeds, Wigan, Warrington Wolves or St Helens have featured at Wembley.
Catalans Dragons
Ex-Super League forward set to join new club after being sacked
