“That is wrong” – Martin Offiah has his say on Harry Newman decision

With just minutes remaining Leeds Rhinos had a chance to keep their Challenge Cup dreams alive against Wigan Warriors.

They were trailing 18-14 late on in the game against holders Wigan Warriors but Leeds could still pinch it and looked like they might do when Harry Newman carved open the Warriors. Like he did in the first half, Newman elected to throw the dummy despite having Richie Myler in support he was tackled and that was Leeds’ last real chance.

Harry Newman is undoubtedly one of the most gifted and most excited players in Super League but perhaps he lets his emotions get the better of him some times. It is well documented that the centre had a bust up with Tom Holroyd recently and today he and Richie Myler had a bit of an argument after he didn’t pass to the fullback. It poses Rohan Smith with an interesting conundrum as he manages an undoubtedly world class star.

Speaking after the game try scoring expert Martin Offiah said it was wrong from Newman on BBC.

He said:

“It was very interesting what he said about not setting his feet. Harry Newman, I scored a lot of tries in my time but that is wrong.”

However after seeing it again, Offiah gave Newman some leeway:

“It is a game of bluff. French learnt from what he saw in the first half and he does learn from it.

“It is a two on one, the head fake from Bevan does make it harder so that makes me think I should give Harry a little bit of leeway there. Bevan made it very difficult for him.”

He also put a focus on the support play from Richie Myler:

“I am going to be a little bit critical and say the support player, Richie Myler, was a bit close. If he had been a bit wider, it would have taken all the decision and doubt away.”

Meanwhile, Leeds Rhinos legend Jamie Peacock put the focus on Bevan French:

“But we have to give Bevan French and his process credit. He wanted to do it the right way the second time.”