It’s rare that Wigan Warriors and St Helens fans agree on anything, but following a dramatic Super League derby clash yesterday, there was consensus on something the RFL must do.
A game where both sides were without key players, we still witnessed a classic at the Brick Community Stadium.
Saints took a surprise early lead against the run of play after Sironen, Robertson and Welsby together ensured their first break culminated in their first try of the night.
However, Zach Eckersley made a break of his own to ensure the Warriors went into half-time level.
Saints went ahead again through Waqa Blake, but Wigan won the game in the end after tries from Adam Keighran and Eckersley, who made it a night to remember in his fledgling career.
It was bad news, however, for Wigan Warriors on the injury front, as Bevan French will be out of action for around two months after tearing his hamstring.
What the RFL must crack down on after Wigan St Helens clash
Credit: Imago Images
The main controversy of the night came due to an early yellow card for St Helens man Matty Lees due to a tackle on Kaide Ellis.
Ellis took a while to get up after the tackle, holding his nose and mouth – and after this delay, Lees was sent for ten for a high tackle.
There have been suggestions tha
t it would have merely been a penalty if Ellis hadn’t stayed down, and that the video referee wouldn’t have had another look at it if he hadn’t done so.
Players from both sides were seen doing it throughout the game, prompting many to suggest that something should be done about it.
Really didn’t like seeing players from Wigan and St Helens staying down after feeling head contact until the referee stopped the game, to try and draw penalties and yellow cards.
Happened several times tonight. But can’t blame the players when they get rewarded for doing it.
— The Tryline 🏉 (@TrylineUK) July 12, 2024
The @RFLReferees have got to stop allowing players to fake injuries, stay down and demand decisions. Tonight was farcical. If the ref misses it, it’s play on. The staying down would stop very quickly. Change the rules, don’t show the replay on the screen either.
— Saddened! (@rlfansSaddened) July 12, 2024
Players staying down for the penalty is it. #RugbyLeague pic.twitter.com/fhQ6cOGJom
— Gavin Wilson (@GavWilson) July 12, 2024
This is a phenomenon that has also been seen Down Under, and NRL has taken steps to decrease the number of players staying down.
The NRL Head of Football, Graham Annesley, has confirmed the ‘remote independent doctor’ will be ensuring that players who are “slow to stand” then undergo 15-minute head injury assessments.
This kind of thing may well come over to Super League in the coming years.
More on the NRL rule change can be found here.
