St Helens faced Leeds Rhinos at Super League Magic Weekend and saw winger Lewis Murphy sent to the sin bin, with fans fuming over the call.
In the final game of day one at Super League Magic Weekend, St Helens faced Leeds Rhinos with both teams under pressure to either stop a slump or prove that they’re the real deal.
Both sat on ten points after five wins and four losses, many see Leeds Rhinos in a favourable light whilst questions are being asked of St Helens, making this a game to settle the scores.
It was Leeds who raced into the lead with Riley Lumb scoring after just three minutes before Lachie Miller scored a second to make it 10-0. St Helens would claw their way back into it and they seemed to have momentum on their side when winger Lewis Murphy was sent to the sin bin after making contact with the head of the Leeds defender.
We have seen plenty of players sent to the bin for head contact in recent weeks and it is something the game prides itself on trying to stamp out with player safety paramount, however, it was actually Murphy’s knee that made contact with the St Helens winger jumping highest to contest a high kick.
St Helens sin bin shocks rugby league fans
The decision to send him to the sin bin came after a review by video referee Ben Thaler and it’s fair to say that call to send Murphy to the bin was hugely contentious.
Sky Sports commentator Barrie McDermott could hardly believe his eyes as he said: “That is an out-and-out attempt for the ball, that is ridiculous. It’s ridiculous.”
When it was put to him that it was due to player safety, the former Leeds man responded: “It’s too far. That is never foul play, it’s an accident whilst contesting the ball.”
It wasn’t just McDermott who disagreed with rugby league fans on social media also disapproving of the yellow card as they took to X to air their frustrations.
Castleford Tigers’ fan-run podcast @COYFCast joked: “Hope Danny’s passed the message onto the boys that they better not jump too high tomorrow.”
Former St Helens man Paul Sculthorpe simply said “goodnight”, with the inference being that he had seen enough.
Ex-Super League official Richard Silverwood said: “Wow. Uncomfortable with a penalty never mind a sin bin. Joke.”
St Helens fans were obviously the most displeased and the responses to St Helens’ tweet about the matter saw some of the most frustrated responses.
One said: “Thought I’d seen it all in RL but obviously I haven’t.”
Another labelled it an “absolute farce”, and it wasn’t just St Helens fans moaning as one responded: “Not a St Helens fan. But that is one of the worst decisions I’ve seen in this sport. absolutely disgusting.”
Leeds would head down the other end and score a drop goal to make it 11-4 as they stretched their advantage during the period they had a man advantage. They’d later add another try as they won 17-4 to condemn Saints to a third straight defeat.
61′ Video ref ruled no try.
The referee has then given Lewis Murphy a yellow card for how he competed in the air to try catch the ball. 🟨
😇 4-10 🦏
— St.Helens R.F.C. (@Saints1890) May 3, 2025
