“It’s a…” – Jon Wilkin speaks out on controversial St Helens tackle against Leeds Rhinos

There are few games as big as Leeds Rhinos vs St Helens especially given the recent history between the two of them in the Betfred Super League.

From 2004-09 the two had a stranglehold over the League Leaders’ Shield and the pair were the top two four times in those six years. They also contested three consecutive Grand Finals all won by Leeds Rhinos before St Helens were again beaten by Leeds at Old Trafford in 2011. For years that hung heavy over St Helens fans for 11 years until they avenged the defeat beating Leeds Rhinos in the 2022 Grand Finals.

The two are the most successful Super League clubs sharing 18 Super League titles out of the 28 won in total. They have a fierce rivalry, the two best academies in the division and a desire to be the absolute best. So this collision was a clash of the titans and not just once but twice with a rematch scheduled next week in the Betfred Challenge Cup.

But Friday night was all about the Betfred Super League and Leeds got off to a better start playing the game at sensational pace. They would reap the rewards for their start with Luis Roberts powering over from a beautiful Brodie Croft ball. Leeds had the better of the play and Lachie Miller was having his best Leeds performance with some lovely breaks and an even better try saver that kept them 6-0 ahead. Leeds extended their lead with a penalty from Rhyse Martin to make it 8-0.

However, Saints are a Champion team and by halftime they were on top of the play and scored via Waqa Blake from a lovely kick.

Saints would take full control of the game on the hour mark after back to back tries from Jon Bennison and Moses Mbye which made it 18-8.

The score would stay that way with St Helens joining Wigan at the top of the table and Leeds left ruing missed chances.

Jon Wilkin has his say on controversial St Helens tackle against Leeds Rhinos

Towards the end of the game, Leeds Rhinos felt that St Helens should have a had a man disadvantage after Sione Mata’utia cut James Bentley in half off the ball resulting in a Head Injury Assessment.

However, Sky Sports pundit Jon Wilkin had a different view as he said: “The ball is released by James Bentley and he is absolutely carved in two by Sione Mata’utia, it’s a late tackle.

“It’s a late tackle but nothing more. It’s a penalty and Bentley has stayed down and you can see why because he’s been hit very hard there.

“The referee has given a penalty, that’s all it will be. James Bentley will now go off for a head assessment because he’s felt the full effects of that.

“It’s given Leeds another chance but now they have lost one of their best players for the rest of the game, it’s a hard game at times.”