Why Wigan Warriors star avoided ban after “dangerous” tackle

Wigan Warriors’ defeat to Hull KR in the Challenge Cup semi-final at Leeds Rhinos’ Headingley Stadium was undoubtedly dominated by Joe Shorrocks’ red card.

He has now been banned for one game for a “reckless” high tackle.

That wasn’t the only major talking point from the game with a similar tackle from Abbas Miski talked about by fans and pundits alike suggesting that Miski should have also been red carded.

Many expected a punishment for the winger as well from the Match Review Panel.

However, that wasn’t the case. He was cited with “dangerous contact” but no ban was awarded with the panel highlighting the following reason:

“Player is preparing to make a tackle and the actions of the player’s teammate propel the opponent onto the player as opposed to the player promoting his shoulder towards the opponent head.”

However, many felt it should have been a red card. Kevin Brown felt so saying on BBC: “I actually thought the Miski tackle was worse with the force that he hit and that was clear contact to the head.

“I know he was falling but it still hurts when you’re falling let me tell you, so I think that one was worse.

“I thought Mikey Lewis was falling and he went but for me the Miski tackle was as bad and I just think the referee thought I don’t want to send him off here.”

He did understand the difficulty of the decision however: “It’s so difficult, all I’d say is that one there, I think, in terms of damage to your opponent, whether he meant it or not, I think there’s probably more risk. Never mind his head, his knees and everything.

“There’s always factors that change the way you tackle, the way you go in, but ultimately if you run that risk and you throw your shoulder in when someone’s spinning you’re not 100% sure and you do hit them in the head then there should be a consequence.”

Meanwhile, Brian Noble labelled the tackle as “dangerous.”

Miski is clear to play against Leigh this week on Channel 4.

Teammate Shorrocks isn’t nor is opponent Edwin Ipape after he was also banned.