St Helens head coach Paul Wellens has been fined £2,000, with £1,000 suspended until the end of the 2024 season, for breaching the game’s Operational Rules.
Comments made by Wellens in a BBC radio interview following the Betfred Challenge Cup Semi-final against Leigh Leopards were found to have breached rules D1.1 (b), C2:6, C2.10 and C2:13, which relate to the conduct and standards of behaviour of persons bound by the game’s Operational Rules.
Criticisms of both the Match Review Panel and the RFL, and language used in relation to tackles to the head, were considered to be detrimental both to the game and the RFL’s Compliance function, and ultimately to have brought the game into disrepute.
These comments were made in reference to tackles made by Leigh Leopards skipper John Asiata. The loose-forward was accused of targeting the joints of St Helens players leading to four injuries.
At the time Morgan Knowles and Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook picked up knocks with the two returning to the side relatively quickly but when Wellens made the comments it was believed that Alex Walmsley and Agnatius Paasi had suffered season ending injuries.
Walmsley was able to return for the final few games of the season but the usual starter was only able to start on the bench as St Helens lost their grip on the Super League trophy losing to Catalans Dragons after a win over Warrington Wolves in the opening weekend of the Super League play-offs.
As for Agnatius Paasi, his season was over with his knee “blown to smithereens” according to Wellens and is likely to miss at least nine months of action with ACL (anterior cruciate ligament), MCL (medial collateral ligament), and ankle ligament injuries.
There was even a suggestion that his career could be over. Interestingly, Wellens’ comments have led to change with the tackle technique, which was not banned last year, now covered by the disciplinary meaning it can now yield a suspension.
So, the RFL seemingly agree with the stance of Wellens but disagree with the way he represented this stance against the disciplinary panel at the time which is why he has been fined.
