In the first Challenge Cup Final without Leeds Rhinos, Wigan Warriors, Warrington Wolves and St Helens since 1986 as Leigh Leopards and Hull KR collided, more history was made but this time it was definitely unwanted.
Elliot Minchella became the first player in 22 years to be sin binned in a Challenge Cup Final for his late hit on Ben Reynolds towards the end of the first half in an incident that allowed Leigh to nail a further two points and take a 10-6 lead.
The last yellow card came in the 2001 final meaning Minchella became the first player to be sin binned at the new Wembley.
It was a decision that proved hugely divisive but was backed up by the Match Review Panel who hit Minchella with a one match ban.
Following this news, Willie Peters addressed the decision and called for consistency.
He said: “Yeah, he’s going to be a huge miss. He’s been, you know, one of our best players, if not our best player all season.
“He plays with a lot of energy, a lot of passion. I think probably in the weekend there was a couple of things there that he’d like to take back.
“It’s one of those where he clipped him around the head. We didn’t fight it because it’s, I suppose it is, you do have contact to the head, but all we want to have now, or every coach in the Super League wants to see is consistency around different things. That’s all I ask.
“In terms of Mini, he’s disappointed. I’m naturally disappointed that we don’t have him playing, but I know there was no intention around it in terms of going out and deliberately trying to make contact with the head, that’s for sure.”
Minchella will therefore miss the game against St Helens this weekend.
The Robins are battling with the likes of Hull FC, Leeds Rhinos, Warrington Wolves, Huddersfield Giants and Hull KR for a spot in the top six and missing out on Challenge Cup glory will likely spur them on even more as they take on the Super League and World Champions this weekend.
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