Ben Flower now faces an eight-match suspension for his half within the incident © PA Photographs
Wigan prop Ben Flower has been given a six-month ban for punching St Helens’ Lance Hohaia twice through the Tremendous League Grand Ultimate final Saturday.
Flower will likely be out of motion till April 14 2015 and can miss 10 Tremendous League video games, two trial video games and one World Membership Sequence match towards Brisbane Broncos. In response to the Rugby Soccer League, it’s the most extreme ban within the Tremendous League period.
On Friday, the RFL charged Flower with a Grade F offence, certainly one of “violent and aggressive punching” and “punching an off-guard opponent”, which carries a minimal eight-match suspension. He was despatched off simply two minutes into the ultimate at Previous Trafford after he landed two punches on Hohaia, certainly one of which was whereas his opponent was on the ground.
Wigan’s common supervisor Kris Radlinski was current with Flower on the RFL listening to and confirmed the membership wouldn’t be interesting the ban.
He mentioned in an announcement: “Wigan Warriors wish to go on report in saying that the RFL disciplinary committee dealt with a really troublesome state of affairs with professionalism and integrity.
“We totally assist their evaluation of Saturday night time’s incident involving our participant, Ben Flower. We will likely be making no attraction.
“We wish to apologise to Lance Hohaia and his household and to the St Helens membership and followers. St Helens’ win on Saturday has been overshadowed by the incident and that’s unsuitable.”
St Helens chairman Eamonn McManus added: “The game of rugby league shouldn’t be judged by this occasion, however by the way it offers with it. We should help [Flower] in any method that we are able to and settle for him again into the game. There’s a individual behind the participant, and I’m reliably knowledgeable by all that it’s a good one.”
Earlier on Tuesday, Hohaia submitted an early responsible plea (EGP) for his half within the incident and accepted a one-match suspension, for hanging Flower with a forearm.
Hohaia had been charged with a Grade B offence by the RFL, however his choice to take an EGP meant he averted a listening to and, in consequence, earned essentially the most lenient punishment for the offence.
“Lance Hohaia has taken an early responsible plea following his Grade B cost of hanging Ben Flower along with his forearm within the Grand Ultimate,” an announcement on St Helens’ official web site mentioned.
“He was cited alongside the Wigan ahead who will seem in entrance of the committee tonight to reply a Grade F offence of violent and aggressive punching/punching an off-guard opponent.”
Police are investigating the incident, though no complaints have been made by any members of the general public. St Helens gained 14-6 to say their first Tremendous League title in eight years.
© ESPN Sports activities Media Ltd
