Last night could well mark a turning point in the history of Super League with the controversial sending off of Nu Brown triggering responses and calls for change from dozens of the sport’s biggest stars.
Approaching the halftime hooter, Brown was sent off the field by referee Marcus Griffiths after making head contact with Warrington’s Ben Currie, an incident that was a complete accident.
Despite the accidental nature, it was still considered “high force” and without “mitigation” meaning Brown had to leave the field to the shock of all fans present at the Halliwell Jones Stadium.
One man who has since confirmed he was shocked was Ben Curriehttps://www.seriousaboutrl.com/couldnt-believe-it-ben-currie-shocked-at-hull-fc-red-card-88467/ who took to social media to reveal that he hadn’t even realised the contact came from Brown’s head.
Currie posted on X: “Couldn’t believe it when they told me it was a red in the changing rooms. No play acting involved. I didn’t even know it was his head!”
The Warrington man wasn’t the only player taking to X to express shock with a whole host of Super League stars and former players reacting with a mix of anger, confusion and concern.
Nu Brown himself has perhaps reacted in the calmest manner of any player calling for calm from fans and not abusing any officials, instead asking that the incident be used as a “line in the sand” in a post on Instagram.
Stars of Super League united in stance
Currie’s Warrington teammate George Williams was among the first prominent voices to react labelling the decision “embarrassing”.
He posted: “Embarrassing for our game. Players it’s time for us to unite, we need a voice within our game going forward!”
Embarrassing for our game.
Players it’s time for us to unite, we need a voice within our game going forward! https://t.co/JagxnjPngV— George Williams (@George7Williams) February 23, 2024
That was echoed by Papua New Guinea’s all-time leading appearance maker Rhyse Martin who shared footage of the red card, again labelling it “embarrassing” and for players to “unite”.
This has got to be a turning point.. this is embarrassing!!
The players need to unite! https://t.co/ASjDA80SFT
— Rhyse Martin (@rhysemartin) February 23, 2024
Alex Walmsley was among the game’s voices to react earlier in the week after 16 players were charged by the disciplinary panel and he re-shared part of his statement.
That read: ““…..but until we, as players, can sit down and discuss where the game has come from and where it is going, there is a problem, and that is my main point: decisions are being made without proper player input.”
Former Wakefield Trinity legend David Fifita, affectionately known as The Big Bopper, shared that post stating: “Said it well big man!!! Don’t know what the rest of you are waiting for! Someone’s trying to reach out, get on board NOW!”
Said it well big man !!! Don’t know what the rest of yous are waiting for! Someone’s trying to reach out, get on board NOW!! https://t.co/ILJC4uwfUp
— David fifita (@david_fifita_) February 23, 2024
Another to reach out was Ryan Brierley who has suggested that the 12 Super League captains meet to discuss the state of the game and report back to the RFL.
It’s not just about the head contact situation. It’s about all aspects of the game I feel we should have a voice on. It’s just a start, but let’s get 12 captains on a zoom call and have a conversation and let’s take some points to the RFL and see where it takes us.
— Ryan Brierley (@RyanBrierley) February 24, 2024
Ex-Leeds Rhinos man Ryan Bailey also called for strike action, asking: “why would you want to play tag?”
Go on strike ! Why would you want to play tag
— RYAN BAILEY (@BAILS168) February 24, 2024
Former Super League man and current Wakefield Trinity star Josh Griffin noted that the rules are intended to avoid head contact and concussion, but that the most common occurrence of that is teammate-on-teammate.
As such, he asked: “Is it a red card if you clash heads with your own team mates? As that’s the most common cause of head collisions.”
Is it a red card if you clash heads with your own team mates? As that’s the most common cause of head collisions 🤷🏼
— Josh Griffin (@joshogriffo) February 23, 2024
Among all the talk of strike action, some players tried to see the lighter side with Bradford Bulls’ Sam Hallas joking: “Jesus Christ. Our lass belts me with more intent when I snore on a night.”
Jesus Christ. Our lass belts me with more intent when I snore on a night https://t.co/5siXs9qwj7
— Sam Hallas (@SamHallas) February 24, 2024
Leigh Leopards’ Oliver Holmes also referenced the results of such shocking send-offs with players subject to bans and fines.
He stated: “On top of all new penalties and new rules around head contact, get anything slightly wrong, even by accident. You get fined! £250, £500 or even more! Imagine picking one of them up a week. End up having to pay subs to play! Not like we’ve got bills to pay or owt like.”
On top of all new penalties and new rules around head contact, get anything slightly wrong, even by accident. You get fined! £250, £500 or even more! Imagine picking one of them up a week. End up having to pay subs to play! Not like we’ve got bills to pay or owt like 🙄
— Oliver Holmes (@Oli_Holmes) February 23, 2024
One of those injured Hull FC players perhaps summed up the feeling of many other fans, Cam Scott simply stating: “Never one to comment on games or decisions but rest in peace rugby league because that is awful.”
Never one to comment on games or decisions but rest in peace rugby league because that is awful 😳
— Cam Scott (@camsxott) February 23, 2024
With two more games of the Super League round remaining here’s hoping that no more players are sent off in such fashion.
