Warrington Wolves and Leigh Leopards meet again after huge controversy a year ago

Tomorrow Warrington Wolves and Leigh Leopards meet in a pre-season friendly to celebrate the testimonial of Joe Philbin.

But both clubs will hope that it isn’t shrouded in controversy like the time the two teams met in a pre-season friendly last year.

As the heart of this controversy was Josh McGuire. The former NRL and Australian international was one of the biggest signings going into 2023 being the only World Cup winner in Super League having played in the 2017 Final which ended 6-0 in favour of Australia against England.

However, he was hit with a seven match ban after he was found guilty of using unacceptable language in Ben Currie’s testimonial.

The definition of ‘Unacceptable Language’ is stated on page 8 of the RFL’s Operational Rules 2023,  associated grading guidelines are set out on page 332 and sentencing guidelines on page 336.

Later in the season, when the two teams met in a competitive fixture, McGuire was again accused of using “unacceptable language” and again hit with a mammoth ban.

This led to his mutual release but it all stemmed back from that pre-season friendly so it is a credit to both clubs that they are amicable enough to meet again this pre-season.

Josh McGuire opens up on Warrington Wolves exit

Speaking in Australia, McGuire opened up on this revealing he didn’t want to offend anyone.

“She [his daughter] was a big reason why I came home,” McGuire said, “I was having my own dramas in England with suspensions.

“I regret what I said. It wasn’t meant in a malicious way and I didn’t mean to offend anyone, that’s for sure.

“It was a throwaway comment in the heat of the moment but I should have thought first before saying something like that.

“With everything going on, I thought I don’t need rugby league in my life anymore. I just want to get home and get my daughter sorted out.

“It’s definitely given me a lot of perspective. In football, you are so pampered and entitled and immature about the world.

“Towards the end of my career, it taught me you can’t put a price on family and your health and that football isn’t everything. “A few times I would get down and you think why us?”