Zak Hardaker hits out after being fined by RFL for celebrating

[josie andrews]

Warriors centre Zak Hardaker has been fined again by the RFL for celebrating during a match.

Players were given guidelines when the season resumed about what celebrations were allowed, to try and reduce the risk of spreading Covid-19.

Fist bumps or a pat on the back were allowed but anyone hugging risked a fine, which was initially £250 before being reduced.

Hardaker took to Twitter to say: "Well just received ANOTHER fine for CELEBRATING in the Hull match. No high fives or hugs or anything of that sort. Every other sport celebrates really don’t understand why they do it in RL. Definitely needs looking at ahead of next year. #Joke."

He found support from team-mate Oliver Gildart, who replied: "Absolute joke make us play three games a week, not on full salary, no recovery or treatment allowed then fine us for celebrating shambles."

https://www.wigantoday.net/sport/rugby- ... ng-3057258

[josie andrews]

What a load of bollocks!

Why St Helens were free to celebrate Grand Final winning-try

SAINTS players will not face any sanction for their jubilant celebrations after Jack Welsby's Grand Final winning try against Wigan.

That is because it was the final match of the season and would therefore cause no issues in subsequent weeks.

Questions had been asked about the policy after Wigan's Zak Hardaker took to social media to complain about being fined for celebrating in the semi-final against Hull FC.

This particular policy was brought in to curtail unnecessary contact to reduce the risk of coronavirus impacting on the competition.

The policy was questioned, given the physical nature of the contact sport, but like dispensing with scrums - celebrations were deemed unneccessary.

Players were told they could fist bump or pat a team-mate on the back but were not allowed to hug each other after scoring a try.

Fines initially started at £250 but have subsequently been reduced.

However, given that the Grand Final was the last match of the season, both sets of players were free to celebrate their one try each in an utterly compelling showpiece at the KCOM Stadium.

Saints' understandably joyous celebrations at the end captured the essence of the season - and the experience would have been poorer without it.

Saints supporters had already said on social media that they would have had a whip round to pay for any....but now that won't be neccessary.

https://www.sthelensstar.co.uk/news/189 ... ebrations/

[the pieman]

I'd seen Zak's post earlier and thought that it was ridiculous to get fined for celebrating.

i get the elation of the Saints celebration, as i think Wigan players and fans would have been exactly the same if it was the other way round, and think its right that they arent fined.

however, when players are busting their guts to get games played, and i am assuming that majority of players across all teams have taken pay cuts, it is just a kick in the guts to then take more money off them for giving someone a hug when they've scored

[Caboosegg]

Its another example of why the rfl isnt fit for service. Stupid rule, can have a 3 man tackle but no hugging bore off.

[Wiganer Ted]

Well done to the RFL.
Never miss an opportunity to let the game down.

[Wintergreen]

What a load of bollocks!

Why St Helens were free to celebrate Grand Final winning-try

SAINTS players will not face any sanction for their jubilant celebrations after Jack Welsby's Grand Final winning try against Wigan.

That is because it was the final match of the season and would therefore cause no issues in subsequent weeks.

Questions had been asked about the policy after Wigan's Zak Hardaker took to social media to complain about being fined for celebrating in the semi-final against Hull FC.

This particular policy was brought in to curtail unnecessary contact to reduce the risk of coronavirus impacting on the competition.

The policy was questioned, given the physical nature of the contact sport, but like dispensing with scrums - celebrations were deemed unneccessary.

Players were told they could fist bump or pat a team-mate on the back but were not allowed to hug each other after scoring a try.

Fines initially started at £250 but have subsequently been reduced.

However, given that the Grand Final was the last match of the season, both sets of players were free to celebrate their one try each in an utterly compelling showpiece at the KCOM Stadium.

Saints' understandably joyous celebrations at the end captured the essence of the season - and the experience would have been poorer without it.

Saints supporters had already said on social media that they would have had a whip round to pay for any....but now that won't be neccessary.

https://www.sthelensstar.co.uk/news/189 ... ebrations/

I've told you before Josie. Stop sitting on the fence and say what you mean!

[Nezza Faz]

Pathetic by the RFL, clueless leadership offers very little confidence moving forward, just when the game needs some brains. Just when you think things can only get better post Nigel Wood and deja vu instead !

[wall_of_voodoo]

Pathetic by the RFL, clueless leadership offers very little confidence moving forward, just when the game needs some brains. Just when you think things can only get better post Nigel Wood and deja vu instead !

Nigel Wood is the biggest influence behind the scenes to get Bradford back into SL and playing in Odsal next season. He has money "invested" in it

[ian.birchall]

Pathetic by the RFL, clueless leadership offers very little confidence moving forward, just when the game needs some brains. Just when you think things can only get better post Nigel Wood and deja vu instead !

Nigel Wood is the biggest influence behind the scenes to get Bradford back into SL and playing in Odsal next season. He has money "invested" in it

Well with the shocking salary he was on he must have plenty to invest in a failing team. And then along came his replacement who was on an even more outrageous bung.