Wigan Warriors boss gives verdict on discipline after Harry Smith red card

Wigan Warriors missed out on their chance to go top of Super League as they lost 30-4 to Leeds Rhinos in a defeat worsened by a red card for half-back Harry Smith.

Smith was sent off by referee Liam Moore with just three minutes of the game left to play when the result was all but confirmed with Leeds leading 24-4.

The England international tackled James Bentley to the ground before falling onto the Rhinos player in a motion that saw his arm thrust towards Bentley’s head.

After advice from the video referee, Liam Moore informed Smith that it was “high impact” and aimed at Bentley’s head as he flashed the red card and sent him from the field.

Smith could now miss out on Wigan’s clash with St Helens at Magic Weekend with a ban seeming likely given the nature of the offence. It would be a huge blow for Matt Peet’s side who suffered from poor discipline throughout the game.

Centre Adam Keighran had earlier been sent to the sin bin for a high tackle on Rhyse Martin with Liam Moore explaining that an accumulation of tackles is why Keighran was sent for ten.

Wigan Warriors boss slams ill discipline

Matt Peet spoke on Sky Sports after the game confirming that he was “frustrated” by the performance in general, but when speaking to the media after the game he went further.

The Wigan Warriors’ boss said: “Really disappointed. We came out to compete and to play well in the hope of getting two points which would have put us in a great position.

“Leeds had some good moments in the game and after that we did some poor things with and without the ball. It was a poor end to the game for us.”

That end saw Smith shown red and when asked about discipline, Peet refused to comment on the specific incident but spoke more generally about his side’s inability to control their discipline.

“I was disappointed by our discipline in general. There were a few penalties from things we didn’t need to do – we just all need to be better.”

Wigan Warriors could perhaps be forgiven for the performance when you consider it was their third game in ten days but Peet refused to be drawn on that as an excuse, but conceded it was a factor late on in the game.

“There’s no doubt it’s been a tough turnaround but I don’t want to use that as an excuse. I do commend the players for their efforts. Our energy at the start of the game wasn’t an issue, it was more the execution.”