Why was the video referee not used?

[cpwigan]

Biggest game of the season, biggest decision of the season. Surely, a good referee pauses and asks the VR to assess what actually happened before making a decision, indeed the correct decision.

[thegimble]

Biggest game of the season, biggest decision of the season. Surely, a good referee pauses and asks the VR to assess what actually happened before making a decision, indeed the correct decision.

I think it was but they did not go far enough back. Was sat in the East stand and it showed a replay only of what Ben did and not the hit he got. Hicks apparently seen it all but its off the ball.

I seriously think they got the nod to send Flower off by the video ref who saw the hit. In real time its quick and if i am correct Hicks was on the opposite side to the flash point.

[cpwigan]

It brings up the issue of coaches/team challenge. On such big occasions you have to make the right decision. Clearly Bentham / RFL got the decision only 50% correct.

We can stop games for minutes watching TRY or NO TRY yet we cannot pause for such a vital incident. Both teams should be allowed to challenge the decision too. IN Wigan's case, we accept the red but believe the St Helens player is equally deserving of a red card.

[thegimble]

It brings up the issue of coaches/team challenge. On such big occasions you have to make the right decision. Clearly Bentham / RFL got the decision only 50% correct.

We can stop games for minutes watching TRY or NO TRY yet we cannot pause for such a vital incident. Both teams should be allowed to challenge the decision too. IN Wigan's case, we accept the red but believe the St Helens player is equally deserving of a red card.

The sport which has the best referal system in sports is American Football. Where a coach can challenge 2 plays per half.

It should be for foul play in RL and not for anything else. As the ref can go to the video ref for a try. How many times has a player got away with violent conduct. One got away with it yesterday.

[East Stand Faithful]

It brings up the issue of coaches/team challenge. On such big occasions you have to make the right decision. Clearly Bentham / RFL got the decision only 50% correct.

We can stop games for minutes watching TRY or NO TRY yet we cannot pause for such a vital incident. Both teams should be allowed to challenge the decision too. IN Wigan's case, we accept the red but believe the St Helens player is equally deserving of a red card.

I am not sure Hohiah deserved a red. I reckon in a normal game he may have got a yellow. Now given the severity of the Flower retaliation I think most referees would "wipe the yellow away". Just my opinion so happy to discuss.

[Jules]

I am not sure Hohiah deserved a red. I reckon in a normal game he may have got a yellow. Now given the severity of the Flower retaliation I think most referees would "wipe the yellow away". Just my opinion so happy to discuss. [/quote]

As an ex ref, I would have to agree. Ben blew it when he ran to throw the first punch. The second was beyond the limit.
He had reason to be aggrieved, but he went beyond what is ever acceptable.

[TrueBlueWarrior]

ESF and Jules, Hohaia was definitely a red card!!

[cpwigan]

If you assault a player with forearms / elbows to his face that = an instant dismissal. Jules I presume you refereed at amateur level? If somebody did what LH did in amateur RL it would have resulted in an all in / match abandoned and BARLA post match sanctions. Ben Flower potentially could have had his jaw broken by LH.

Both players deserved red cards. Not even a difficult decision IMO.

[Wiganer Ted]

I only saw the Hohaia hit from the screen when on the concourse at half time. Came home and watched it on replay, no way should Saints have had 13 for the rest of the game.Hohaia ran 10-15 mtrs to smash his elbow/forearm into Flowers jaw. As clear of sending off as Flowers, not as bad obviously but a sending off nevertheless.

The refs/vr's need to get their act together, that's successive Grand Finals where players have clearly gone out to injure their opponents and not been sanctioned by the on field match officials.
Both Westwood and Hohaia should have gone. Both were premeditated. Flower's first punch was reaction, his second retaliation to a man he believed had just tried to break his jaw!.
As I said the refs/vr need to get their act together.

[Wigan_forever1985]

I think if it had gone to video most lance would of got is yellow right or wrong as that is a referee would of seen the battering as "punishment" IMO