St Helens head coach Paul Wellens has branded the deicison to show Lewis Murphy a yellow card at Magic Weekend ‘ridiculous’. The Saints were beaten 17-4 by Leeds Rhinos at St James’ Park, ensuring they have now lost three Super League games in a row.
However, the game was marred by yet more refereeing controversy, as Murphy was sent to the sin bin in the second half of the game. Leaping to catch a kick, Murphy’s knee collided with the head of a Leeds defender.
The incident was analysed by the video referee and a penalty was given, with Murphy being sent to the sin bin, with his effort being seen to be dangerous but not deliberate. The decison has caused uproar online and Wellens outlined his frustration at the call when speaking after the game.
The St Helens head coach even went on to challenge head of the match official Phil Bentham to explain the refereeing inconsistencies.
“I thought it was ridiculous to be quite honest with you,” Wellens said. “Lewis Murphy goes up and contests a ball and he has eyes for one thing and one thing only and that’s the ball.
“We had Jake Wingfield in the Challenge Cup game at Warrington knocked out cold the other week and we were told it was an accidental rugby injury. What’s the difference between that and this here tonight?
“It’s quite flabbergasting to be honest with you and that was a big momentum shift in the game. We were coming on strong and they go down the field and make it 11-4. I thought it was a ridiculous call.”
St Helens boss speaks on fan abuse and makes appeal to head of referees
Continuing his comments on the yellow card, he added: “I was just asked on Sky, I get asked asked these questions as a coach and as coaches we’re judged on our results, we have to come here and answer questions and that’s part and parcel of this job.
“However, I’m quite often answering questions around refereeing decisions and inconsistencies around refereeing decisions. It’s got to the point where we as coaches can stop answering those questions and maybe we get Phil Benthem to come and front up and he answers the questions as to why these decisions are so inconsistent on a weekly basis. I’ll say no more on it.
“I think everyone who has been in rugby league for a long time sees that for what it is but for some reason as a refereeing team now we seem to complicate the life out of every single decision that goes on over 80 minutes.”
The final whistle was met with boos from some of the Saints support at St James’ Park with one man attempting to get across to the head coach.
Asked about the incident, Wellens added: “I will continue to conduct myself in the right way despite being under huge amounts of pressure, I know that.
“What I won’t comment on is if people want to behave themselves in a certain way they can do that, if that’s the way they want to be. I won’t stoop to that level.”
⏹ The Saints fall to defeat against Leeds at #MagicWKND 2025#COYS | @LPL_Airport pic.twitter.com/jMCVsfgEKL
— St.Helens R.F.C. (@Saints1890) May 3, 2025
