The Reaper:

I'm surprised by everybody on here saying they think the Murphy yellow was correct. I have a sneaking suspicion that had it been the other way around, you'd be furious. For a start, Murphy isn't "the tackler" so rules about tackling don't apply. Saints were in possession, so he's the attacker. We see attackers go in with their knees out etc pretty much every charge. That said, the rules for tackling or carrying the ball aren't relevant anyway, as it was a contest in the air for the ball. It was a completely fair contest, both had eyes on the ball, nothing wrong with it whatsoever. When you jump, you stick your knee out for leverage. Watch literally any game of rugby back and see it happen multiple times a game, pretty much every single time anybody jumps for the ball... That's how you jump! Murphy has been penalised for A) Being able to jump high and B) for Edgell not bothering to jump at all, which is patently ridiculous. Particularly it's obviously not Murphy's fault that Edgell didn't even bother to attempt to contest the ball, nor is that something he can predict when he jumps. If Edgell leaves the ground at all, then the head contact can't possibly happen. What's even more ridiculous is that had he caught the ball, he'd probably have been AWARDED the penalty for being tackled in the air. Think the ruling was positively stupid. A contest in the air will always have elements of risk, and if these things are going to be called then you may as well just ban jumping for the ball. To me, this is in line with the Nu Brown red card incident last year. Yes, there is contact with the head but it's pretty clear it's nobody's fault and doesn't need punishment as it's a "rugby league incident" ie something that can just happen by playing the sport. 


That said, don't wanna harp on it too much as I don't think it effected the result of the game. I originally came here to congratulate you on your win which was very much deserved as I thought you were by far the better team for the majority of the game and should have been way more than 10-0 up at HT. As much fun as it is to enjoy the misfortune of rival clubs, I'm actually happy to see you guys moving in the right direction. I'd prefer all of our big clubs to be firing on all cylinders as that's whats going to lead to a better comp and more exciting seasons. Not looking likely now, but would be great if you could keep hold of Arthur for a few more years.

christopher:



Nah, if it had been a Leeds player i would think the same and be annoyed at them, calling it a ‘rugby league incident’ is a cop out, jumping with your knees first (he totally missed the ball by the way) is reckless. Do I think he intentionally kneed him in the head, no, but that’s the same with 99% of any head shots.

Yellow was correct.


Wilkins take that it was Alfie’s fault because it was a ‘pathetic attempt at a jump’ was ridiculous, and Jenna Brooks was no better when interviewing Wellens.