Rohan Smith “deals with very angry, gesticulating St Helens fans” after sensational win

Jon Wilkin has slammed a decision that went against St Helens tonight as they were stunned by Leeds Rhinos 25-24 in their homecoming after winning the World Club Challenge.

At 24-all, Saints forced a drop out and Sam Walters hit Matty Lees with a thunderous challenge.

Jack Welsby then started a pushing match feeling that the tackle was illegal and replays suggested it could have been a shoulder charge.

Later Konrad Hurrell was sent off for a late hit on Richie Myler which connected with his jaw.

Speaking on Sky Sports, Jon Wilkin suggested that Myler contributed to the sending off by staying down with Wilkin saying “he’s not daft.”

This all created a hostile atmosphere at fulltime as Blake Austin’s winning drop goal.

It led to a scene where Rohan Smith was left dealing with angry gesticulating St Helens fans who had come to the sideline to let their feelings be known as Jenna Brooks interview Man of the Match Aidan Sezer.

Brian Carney described the situation:

“Rohan Smith standing near by and dealing with some very angry, gesticulating St Helens fans. What problem they have with Rohan Smith I don’t know.

“The coolest man in the Totally Wicked Stadium.”

Carney would later ask “angry at what? The defeat, the performance, some decisions?”

Speaking as the boos drowned out the Sezer interview, Brooks said:

“I can tell you that I am witnessing something I have never witnessed in my career, there are a number of St Helens fans who have actually come down to the touchline, they are booing this player of the match and Aidan Sezer is dealing with it very well.”

Then Sezer joked: “They’re giving it to me.”

The incident that Saints fans were irritated about saw the Rhinos put together a nice set play with a smart Richie Myler grubbering at the end of it forcing a goal line drop out.

But after Mata’utia and Sezer were left on the ground with Mata’utia needing tap around a cut on his head.

Mata’utia was sin binned because of the flexion of Sezer’s head after the collision.

Phil Clarke on Sky Sports said Mata’utia is lucky that it wasn’t a red card: “It was over aggressive and ill-disciplined. He missed 10 minutes, I think he will miss more in the coming weeks when the disciplinary panel consider the foul play there.

“He was late in the tackle and the game is trying to eradicate this aspect from the game as a player passes the ball, unsighted, hit from behind, he could have been very seriously injured.

“Luckily Aidan Sezer is okay and has returned to the field.

“That is dangerous play and he is very lucky that card is yellow.”