What the experts said about Harry Newman’s first dummy

The talking point coming out of yesterday’s headline Challenge Cup clash between Leeds Rhinos and Wigan Warriors was Harry Newman’s decision not to pass the ball to Richie Myler as Leeds broke late in the game with a play that could have won the match for the Rhinos.

Newman instead showed the dummy and was tackled by Wigan fullback Bevan French.

Perhaps part of the centre’s thinking was the fact he had already dummied French and scored in the first half but even then the experts said he should have passed.

BBC’s Johnathan Davies said immediately after the try: “He’s lucky he scored there because the inside ball was absolutely the pass.

“It was a lovely break by Aidan Sezer but Newman, it is just in or out.”

Meanwhile St Helens Women star Jodie Cunningham had to agree:

“I agree, it is a good job he scored. Wonderful skill to keep hold of the ball as he juggles it, he manages to get it under control but he absolutely had to find that pass inside so he will be thanking his lucky stars that he does manage to use his power, his strength and athleticism there to take on Bevan French and score the try.”

This foreshadowed the criticism of Harry Newman later in the day.