Sam Burgess makes ‘trigger happy’ claim after latest Warrington Wolves ban

Warrington Wolves head coach Sam Burgess has lamented Super League refereeing decisions, soon after a ban for Paul Vaughan.

His side were defeated by Leigh Leopards last week, with Vaughan’s sending off pivotal in the loss.

Burgess was unhappy with the decision to award him a red card, and he has met with RFL company secretary (and former referee) Roberts Hicks to discuss it.

He also called the decision “embarrassing” following the contest, and he said it “spoiled a good game”.

That loss puts Wire four points behind Hull KR and Wigan Warriors, and effectively ends their bid for the League Leaders’ Shield.

Sam Burgess calls Super League referees “trigger happy” after latest Warrington Wolves ban

Burgess has told BBC Radio Merseyside: “We felt there were mitigating factors and that’s why we challenged it but the framework we live in, it’s pretty tough.

“I still don’t think it’s a red card, which is not a popular comment to some people, but we all have responsibility – players, coaches and adjudicators and administrators – to try and make the product as best as possible and I don’t know if 13 versus 12 is the best product.

“That doesn’t mean you should have free rein to go around taking people’s heads off. That’s been illegal since the game started.

“I just think we can get trigger happy and we need to calm down a bit with the cards.”

He admitted that the appeal was always unlikely to be successful, but stood by the club’s decision: “I really didn’t think there was much intent in that tackle and listening to him talk about it, he didn’t.

“We were probably heading up a dead end in some aspects of that, but I felt for Vaughany’s peace of mind and for us as a club we were doing the right thing by him.”