Re: Ben Flower : Sun Oct 12, 2014 9:42 am  

Ian Lenagan has made the worse deal, not just for Wigan but for rugby league in general, by signing Shaun Wane on for another three years. When you put together Wanes comments during the world club challenge documentary, his comments about his family hating Saints prior to the grand final and that Ben Flower punch in the Grand Final, it does not look pretty at all.

Had a commentator said the things Wane said, they should lose their job. However Phil Clarke, ironically also from Wigan, had said similar things about Danny McGuire in the past and got away with it. That same commentator has also defended Ben Flower.

Had a Wigan fan punched an unconscious St Helens fan in the stand that Wiganer would probably be facing years from ever being allowed in a rugby league ground? Not Ben Flower though who will most likely be given better treatment than what Gareth Hock was ever given by the Wigan club.

Then of course the Wigan Brigantes were banned from the stands but it seems Wigan players are allowed to show like-to-like behavior on the pitch. The club took a long while to sort that off-field nasty element out and hopefully they will spend the off season sorting out the other nasty elements I’ve wrote about.

Ian Lenagan would get rid of Wane as soon as possible if he had any integrity left.

Re: Ben Flower : Sun Oct 12, 2014 9:45 am  

Last week Sam Burgess broke his cheekbone and eye socket in the first minute and played on to win mom.

This week Ben Flower straddled an already knocked out half back that's half the size of him to line up a punch. Getting sent off in the sent second minute.

One's a hard man forward the other's a pussy hole.

Re: Ben Flower : Sun Oct 12, 2014 9:50 am  

Re: Ben Flower : Sun Oct 12, 2014 10:24 am  

Standee wrote:

just watched it again, he should be on remand and waiting for a magistrate, 2 years minimum, common assault, GBH, ABH whatever else the Police can think of. If any Wigan fan can defend him that's just plain odd.

In a sea of hysteric posts you've managed to raise the bar. Well done sir!

Re: Ben Flower : Sun Oct 12, 2014 10:26 am  

Mr. Zucchini Head wrote:

Flower obviously won't go to prison. Hohia would be well within his rights to press charges but he won't. And even if he did he won't serve time for something that happened in the heat of battle on a rugby pitch in a professional game.

However it isn't overreacting to say he could have killed him. People have been killed by a lot less. Frankly there's not many things more dangerous that he could have done. I'm just glad it was more of a jab than a haymaker otherwise it really could have been nasty.

Hardly a 'jab'. He pulled his arm back.

Re: Ben Flower : Sun Oct 12, 2014 10:28 am  

Saddened! wrote:

Blimey. That's a bit harsh isn't it. You can't justify an attack that could easily have killed a player because he obstructed a player chasing a kick.

Some Wigan fans probably can. After all some Wigan fans wanted Danny McGuire's career to be over due to an obstruction.

Re: Ben Flower : Sun Oct 12, 2014 10:28 am  

Think Clarkes comment in commentary have been over looked a lot he was desperately trying to somehow justify it.

Re: Ben Flower : Sun Oct 12, 2014 10:32 am  

Saddened! wrote:

Utterly disgraceful. The stuff before it, lets face it Wigan fans was nothing. The swinging arm by Flower on Hohaia that started it was a penalty, nothing more. The push, and it was a pushing motion, by Hohaia on Flower was another penalty worthy incident. The punch from Flower was worthy of a red these days under the new rules, but would probably have been excused were it not for the final hit.

That was utterly shocking and he really should be facing criminal charges as well as a massive ban. Cowardly doesn't go far enough, and again very disappointing to see Wane supporting him, but would expect nothing less.

I think Wane may regret that. If I was controlling the club I'd dismiss Flower and Wane too if he wishes to stand by his man.

Re: Ben Flower : Sun Oct 12, 2014 10:45 am  

Durham Giant wrote:

Steve Bunce @bigdaddybunce
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I'm assuming that Ben Flower likes prison food - he has to be nicked for that assault. That's a UFC inspired second punch, savage.

Andrew Voss @AndrewVossy
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Letting fans in the UK know, Australians waking up now to see Ben Flower's punch in the sport headlines.No tries ..just the act of thuggery.

Daily Telegraph

ENGLAND’S rugby league showpiece match has been marred by one of the most sickening punches ever seen on a sporting field.

Will it bring fans in , will it help the game to expand, will it attract sponsors.

RL where you can beat up unconscious opponents live on TV in a cup final..

Even events off the pitch no matter how bad do not bring the game into dispute as much as this.

I think for those reason Flower will need to be sacked or given a life ban. The sport cannot afford that. No sport can. As I said last night - it has set the game back years.

Re: Ben Flower : Sun Oct 12, 2014 10:50 am  

bewareshadows wrote:

Call me what ever name you like if it makes you feel good or big, point is if I came at you from behind and stiff armed you in the head, there is no way you would hit the deck and not react.

Lance reacted to getting a strike to the head from behind. He should not have done that, but using his reaction to the initial strike to his head that to justify the final punch is pushing the limits.

I'm not in favour of the calls for a court case as it would open a can of worms. What about all the years and years of footage. There are some players now coaches who have done some actions that would now be deemed illegal, others have done sickening things. There are those no longer around to defend their actions. Take a look at some black and white RL matches and there are things going on that would make your stomach turn today.

For me it's

Punching – sustained, repeated, violent &
aggressive

Grade E offense - 4 - 8 Games.

He's been cited 5 times already this year, but each time it was no charge. So I would think 6 games would be the likely outcome. As his record would indicate no previous charge in the year.

Make juvenile posts such as "End of. Night" and you'll get one in response.

I actually agree with the remainder of your post, except you miss the point that Hohaia chose to deliberately move into Flower's path and got banged out the way, albeit aggressively. He then retaliated and came off worse. Fact is, he instigated the entire thing, chose to take it further by chasing Flower and striking him in the face with the forearm, and came off second best.

But let me be clear, despite the hysterical wailing on here, no-one is defending the final punch. It was a step too far and he will rightly face a strong punishment.