Quote craig hkr="craig hkr"Well done in lifting a line from a post to try and deflect.What I said was the Wigan fans after wembley didn't cry like you lot last night/today. Put all the emoticons you like the facts are hull have tried rough house bully boy tactics last 2 games and come off 2nd best both times.Ironic thing is when they actually concentrated on playing hard fair rugby they looked good.'"
here is a comment of someone who has watched the narrow coverage from TV and thinks they can offer an informed opinion.
Having been at the game and watched much of it back on TV, the rough house tactics were clearly instilled in Wigan. McIllorum and Tomkins striking out after the ball has been played, kicking the tackled player, stamping on the hands of a prone player. Not once penalised.
It was my understanding that only the captain of a side was allowed to speak to the official? Tomkins and Bateman had more dialog with Hick than there was on Frost v Nixon.
In hindsight, the major incident, there is clearly contact to the head from Watts fore arm (not elbow). Ok, by the letter of the current interpretation of the rules, its a penalty. It is not a red card. If it is, there would be a dozen cards per game.
If it was a one off error by the officials, fair enough, they are human and make mistakes. However, its the glaring inconsistencies, in the same game which are what are destroying the game. Griffin gets pulled for a cannonball, fair enough, it was a soft one but a correct decision. Second half, similar situation involving either Tuatai or Isa (couldnt make out who at the time), yet no penalty. The high swinging arm into Griffins face in the 2nd half, penality but no further action from a ref who has produced a card for a head contact.
Oh, then there is the clear forward pass for Wigans 3rd try. How is that missed??
Stiil, Hull were the architects of their own downfall, Not for one minute am I blaming individuals, but examples of this are Sneyd throwing out a miracle pass to Gelling within 2 mins of the restart. Or Shaul knocking on having got possession back with 2 minutes left when its a 2 point game.
Hull were the better team. A more objective decision on Watts, the game stays at 13v13, Hull win that game.