Sheens unhappy with Austin challenge that leaves Tomkins in hospital

Hull KR head coach Tim Sheens said Blake Austin “may have a little worry this week” after his hefty challenge put Joel Tomkins in hospital with severe concussion.

Austin was given a yellow card for the incident in the first half as he hit Tomkins on the floor, resulting in the former Wigan man leaving the field and not returning.

Warrington’s marquee player will now wait anxiously for the RFL’s match review panel to look at the challenge ahead of the Wolves trip to Huddersfield on Friday.

Despite losing the game 28-14, the Robins head coach was reluctant to blame the officials for not handing out a greater punishment to Austin during the game.

“Joel had to go to hospital in an ambulance and he’s a sick boy and in a bad way and we are concerned for him,” Sheens said.

“I think the player concerned may have a little worry this week but it doesn’t help us for the fact in the 10 minutes he was off we scored a try.

“It’s a tough one for referees because he doesn’t know he’s hit him that hard he has put him in hospital, and it doesn’t matter if you are lying on the ground or running through, if you get hit flush on the head you are going to have a problem.

“I’m not whingeing about it though, it’s difficult for referees but losing my captain and influential player in the squad for most of the game was a concern.”