Tony Smith not happy with yellow card against Wigan Warriors

Hull FC are battling with Leeds Rhinos, Warrington Wolves, Hull KR and Salford Red Devils for the last two play off spots but their chances were hurt on Friday night when they were beaten by Wigan Warriors in golden point.

In many ways, it was a game they should have won as they led 12-4 after tries from Brad Dwyer and Adam Swift and a great display from Jake Clifford.

But in a crucial turning point Carlos Tuimavave was sin binned for a dangerous tackle.

Then a Jake Wardle try sent the game to golden point after Toby King had crossed earlier and Harry Smith won the match in golden point.

The yellow card was crucial and referenced by Tony Smith after the game as he spoke to BBC Radio Humberside:

“Yeah yeah well yes and no I didn’t think it was a sin bin, but it was one of those tackles that bloke lands flat on his back, you know, and we see him all the time. But, you know, they’re the reactions that we get sometimes.

“Our sport’s a little bit over, overcautious at the moment with many of our tackling issues.

“I’d like us to have a look at methods of tackling in terms of not just safety but what looks good for our game.

“I thought we had a few rucks and mauls there today. It absolutely looked like a game at Rugby Union at times and we didn’t practice that very well.”

Asked about the referee’s role in all of this, he said:

“Both, it’s within the rules and you know, nowadays you’re allowed to pull and tug and hold people up and drive them five to ten metres. A single bloke getting caught by three or four others, it’s very difficult for him to get down on the ground and get the ball down on the ground.

“If you’re being held up, you can’t get to the ground, and then you drag being pushed and dragged, all you can do, and I had to ask my players at halftime to get in there and stop them from being dragged back to their own goal line. So therefore, we’re creating the maul again, or the ruck.”