Wigan Warriors captain Liam Farrell has been sent to the sin bin for a professional foul against Hull KR with the decision causing debate.
Rovers were 6-0 up and threatening the Wigan line when a grubber kick went in with Elliot Minchella chasing in and looking set to score, only to be taken high and off the ball by his Wigan counterpart Liam Farrell.
It was immediately obvious that Farrell would be sitting down for ten minutes but the key question was whether it should be a penalty try or not with Minchella bearing down on the ball.
That went to the video referee and Jack Smith ruled that whilst it was a clear professional foul, there was not enough evidence to suggest that Minchella would have certainly scored.
As such, no penalty try was given but Farrell was sent for ten minutes and Rhyse Martin converted a penalty from in front of the sticks to make it 8-o.
Wigan Warriors ‘desperate’ defence sees Farrell sin binned
That decision has now been scrutinised by Sky Sports pundit Jon Wilkin who has argued that Elliot Minchella would have got to the ball and grounded it for a try.
He explained: “Liam Farrell crosses the line and stops Minchella and I think he gets that ball down.”
That view wasn’t unanimously held though as former Hull KR man Paul Cooke took the side of video referee Jack Smith, arguing: “I think there’s enough doubt there for me to say that the ball could roll dead.
“There’s a bit of meat on Jez’ kick and would he or would he not have scored? There’s enough doubt for a referee for me.
“It divides opinion but the only one that counts is the video referee.”
Wilkin agreed but explained it highlighted the desperation of Matt Peet’s side having earlier argued that Wigan were lucky not to be trailing by more.
The ex-St Helens man said: “Yeah, let’s say it’s a fair result but it’s desperation from Wigan. Liam Farrell having to do something in a desperate manner to stop Hull KR from scoring.”
