“Not even a penalty” – Jamie Jones-Buchanan has controversial say on yellow card

In the Challenge Cup Final between Leigh Leopards and Hull KR there was more than a little controversy.

We saw a potential penalty try, two penalties after scraps broke out after key moments in the game and a yellow card for Elliot Minchella who must have felt like he had been in a tumble dryer the ups and downs he endured in the first 40 given he also created the opening try.

The decision to sin bin him after contact with Ben Reynolds has certainly divided fans and pundits alike.

Jamie Jones-Buchanan meanwhile has come out and said on BBC that it wasn’t even a penalty: “I don’t even think that is a penalty, there is no intention there and it is late.”

Former Leeds Rhinos teammate Jamie Peacock added: “It is lazy from Minchella, but in the context of the game and the occasion I don’t think that can be a yellow card.

“I think when you look at some of the other things that have happened in the game, for the one yellow card for that it seems very harsh.

“It’s a penalty but I don’t think that was worthy of 10 in the bin on a day like this.”

The Leopards had started strongly making in roads through the middle of Hull KR’s defence and winning a penalty after a high tackle from Rhys Kennedy on Tom Amone.

Hull KR withstood the pressure from the Leopards and as they came away from their own end John Asiata dived at a Hull KR players’ legs to effect a tackle.

Elliot Minchella took except to the incident and started a minor scrap with plenty of pushing and shoving.

Hull KR were penalised and Ben Reynolds kicked the goal to make it 2-0.

Asiata’s tackle technique has been under major scrutiny lately after the semi-final win over St Helens.

That day Asiata injured four St Helens stars with low tackles. Morgan Knowles suffered a knock, Louis McCarthy-Scarsbrook was out for nearly a month and the seasons of Alex Walmsley and Agnatius Paasi were ended.

Paul Wellens said that Paasi’s knee was “blown to smithereens” as he did his MCL, ACL and ankle ligaments.

Jon Wilkin said these low tackles were “incredibly dangerous” on social media. Meanwhile, Paul Wellens would late say “he’s out of control” and would slam the RFL for not protecting his players.

He has been referred to the compliance board as consequence but there has been a lot of focus on Asiata since and it was that which led to Minchella.

Some may suggest the tackle should have been punished. But what did official Chris Kendall have to say:

“There’s nothing illegal about the tackle technique,” he could be heard on BBC.

“The incident is caused when Elliot Minchella runs over and starts pushing so it’s a penalty against you [Hull KR.]”

Hull KR responded to this early controversy with a try. Minchella was the man that made it with a break up the middle and the try was finished off by Jez Litten in support going under the sticks.

Brad Schneider’s conversion made it 6-2 to the Robins. It so far has been a nervy but very good Challenge Cup Final.