Tony Rea and Jon Wells says six-month ban is justified

Refeere Phil Bentham sending off Ben Flower of Wigan Warriors during the First Utility Super League Grand Final

Sky Sports’ rugby league experts Jon Wells and Tony Rea both believe that the RFL were right to hand out a six-month ban to Ben Flower for his attack on Lance Hohaia during Saturday's Grand Final defeat to St Helens.

Flower’s ban stretches to April 14 and rules him out of 13 games overall – after the match-review panel of the RFL decided it was worth more than the eight-game minimum for a Grade F offence.
Flower punched Hohaia twice at Old Trafford - the second of which was thrown while Hohaia was lying on the floor.
Wigan have already stated they will not appeal and both the team and player have apologised for the incident, which Wells says deserved the six-month ban he has received.
“We were expecting something big weren’t we? We were expecting something out of the ordinary,” Wells said on Sky Sports News HQ. “The guidelines that the RFL’s disciplinary committee had laid down are eight matches as a starting point for a Grade F offence.

Biggest stage

“It’s hard to get away from the fact that it was a Grand Final, the biggest of stages, the most severe looking punch. And it’s the second punch, the punch on the prone Lance Hohaia that judgement has gone down on. Common sense suggests that’s what the ban is for.
“Six months is a long time – in my opinion that’s fair. It has to be given the circumstances, the biggest stage of all.
"He’s 26 years of age – he’s got plenty of rugby in front of him. The Wigan club, I’m 99 per cent sure, they will stick by him. Ben Flower has been a fantastic addition to that team. He’s a young Welsh lad who has come in and tried his luck and he’s had a great deal of success.
“Prop forward is one of the most combative roles on any rugby field, and the difficulty has been keeping those emotions in check. He’s going to have a long time now to sit down and think about it. I don’t think his contract is in danger. There’s a big future ahead of him – he’s obviously a top class player.
“What I’m most pleased to see was the speed with which he came out with a full and frank and unreserved apology to Lance, to Wigan, to Rugby League, because that is what it needed. This has been a very unsavoury incident. Notwithstanding all the attention we’ve had, this is an incredibly rare incident in rugby league.”

Rea has his say

Former London Broncos coach Tony Rea also gave his reaction to Sky Sports News HQ and he said that the ban seemed a suitable punishment for such a serious offence.
“When you look at it as being ten games in Super League but when you know Ben Flower is a certainty to be picked for Wales and then you see he’ll miss the World Club challenge for Wigan it’s a very extensive ban,” said Rea.
“And so I’d suggest it’s on the money.
“Six months is a long time, a bit of this time is the offseason so not a playing period but saying that it extends a long way into the playing season
“Of course if eight games is the minimum, and it wasn’t a minimum offence, we’ve got to say that, to punch a guy lying on the ground is not a minimum offence, so it’s probably a fair call.
“The initial reaction is it’s extensive and above the minimum suspension and it’s a suitable suspension - it’s a difficult one and a tough one but it’s as bad as you get an incident.”
By SkySports

Gareth Hock to remain with Salford Red Devils

Salford Red Devils have confirmed forward Gareth Hock is to remain at the AJ Bell Stadium after withdrawing his transfer request.

The former Wigan Warriors man was expected to leave the Red Devils after asking to leave in September, a request which was granted by the club.
However, following discussions with club officials and team-mates the 31-year-old has changed his mind and is now happy staying at Salford.

"The fans haven’t yet seen the best of me so now I have to get back to work and head into pre-season and get ready for what should be an exciting 2015 for the Red Devils."

Gareth Hock

Hock, who has three years remaining on a four-year contract, has confirmed he had offers from elsewhere, although he is now ready to knuckle down and show the Red Devils the best of his ability.
“I am really happy to be staying at this club,” he told the club’s official website.
“When I signed a long-term deal at the start of 2014 it was never my intention to be seeking a move within 12 months but I had been through what was a frustrating time for me personally when I experienced my recent suspension from the game and I began to feel that I needed a change of environment.

Exciting season

“I realise I upset a fair few people and I can only apologise to them and say that I firmly intend to make things right next season. The fans haven’t yet seen the best of me so now I have to get back to work and head into pre-season and get ready for what should be an exciting 2015 for the Red Devils.
“I did have offers to play elsewhere in Super League and in rugby union but I now appreciate what a truly good club the Red Devils are and I’m sure we are going to have a big year next year.
“I was also grateful throughout my time away from the club for the support and commitment made to me by the owner Marwan Koukash and coach Iestyn Harris who were a major part in my decision to withdraw my transfer request.”
Red Devils owner Marwan Koukash added: “It has been good talking to Gaz and getting to the bottom of his issues here.
“It’s fair to say if you want a quiet life you probably don’t sign players like Gareth Hock and bring them into your team, but we don’t want a quiet life at the Red Devils, we want trophies and on his day Gareth is one of the best forwards in the world.
“Now he will remain with us it is up to Iestyn Harris and his coaches to make sure he has one of those best days every time he plays."
Gaz Hock is not going anywhere and we are very pleased that he is fully committed to the Red Devils.
By SkySports

Wigan forward Ben Flower banned for six months for attack on Lance Hohaia

Wigan forward Ben Flower has been banned for six months for his attack on Lance Hohaia during Saturday's Grand Final defeat to St Helens.

The suspension prevents Flower from playing again until April 14 and amounts to a 13-game ban, comprising two pre-season trials, Wigan's World Club Challenge meeting with Brisbane Broncos on February 21 and the first 10 games of the 2015 Super League season.
It comes after he was hit by a Grade F charge by the RFL match-review panel, the most severe option open to them.
Flower's two punches - the second of which was thrown while Hohaia was lying on the floor - marred the early stages at Old Trafford and Hohaia, who went to see a specialist and to have scans on his cheekbone on Monday afternoon, has accepted a one-match ban for his off-the-ball forearm strike that sparked the incident.

No Wigan appeal

Wigan football manager Kris Radlinski read a club statement after the hearing, saying: "Wigan Warriors would like to go on record as saying that the Rugby Football League disciplinary commission handled a very difficult situation with professionalism and integrity. We fully support their assessment of Saturday night's incident involving our player Ben Flower. We will be making no appeal.
"We would like to apologise to Lance Hohaia and his family and to the St Helens club and fans. St Helens' win on Saturday has been overshadowed by the incident and that is wrong.
"The Grand Final was an incredible game and St Helens were worthy winners. We hope our respect and healthy rivalry can remain intact and that both clubs can return to Old Trafford in the near future and showcase properly the exciting spectacle that Rugby League is.
"Ben has issued an apology and is full of remorse for his actions. We will work hard to repair any damage caused to the reputation of Rugby League."
St Helens had spoken to Greater Manchester Police through chief executive Mike Rush, but confirmed after the hearing they would not be pursuing any separate legal action.

Saints stand by Wigan

Saints chairman Eamonn McManus said: "These matters have to be dealt with by the appropriate body within the game and it has been.
"Whilst serving his ban it is critical that Ben is now provided all due personal and professional support. His rehabilitation is now paramount. During the period of his ban he will be no more than a 25-year-old boy who will be extremely vulnerable emotionally.
"We must assist him in any way that we can and accept him back into the sport. There is a person behind the player and I am reliably informed by all that it is a good one. He must know that from all. Lance Hohaia certainly feels that way towards him also.
"The sport of Rugby League should not be judged by this event but by how it deals with it.
"(Wigan's) Ian Lenagan is a strong chairman of a great club and I know that he will look beyond mere effect and more at cause. If anything is identified and needs to be dealt with then he will. St Helens stand firmly at the side of Wigan at this time."
It is the second heaviest ban of the Super League era. Terry Newton, the late former Great Britain hooker, was suspended for 10 matches for knocking out Lee Gilmour and breaking the cheekbone of Sean Long while playing for Wigan against St Helens in 2005 but the ban was extended to seven months when his appeal was rejected.
By SkySports

Berry to referee first division final

Stuart Berry

Stuart Berry will be in charge of the Absa Currie Cup First Division Final on Friday while Pro Legoete and Jaco van Heerden have been named as the referees for the two Absa Currie Cup Premier Division semifinals on Saturday.
The match official appointments for the provincial playoff matches this weekend were made by the South African Rugby Union on Monday.
Lourens van der Merwe and Archie Sehlako will referee the other two finals on Friday, when they take charge respectively of the Under-19 B and Under-21 B finals.

Boks to open campaign against Aussies

Jean de Villiers

The Springboks will kick off their 2015 Castle Lager Rugby Championship campaign against Australia in Brisbane on Saturday, 18 July.
Sanzar on Monday announced the fixtures for a competition that has been condensed to three rounds to make way for the Rugby World Cup.
The Springboks will also host New Zealand and Argentina in 2015 before finishing with an away-match against Los Pumas, which will not be for competition points.
The Castle Lager Rugby Championship will kick off on Friday 17 July when New Zealand host Argentina in Christchurch, a fortnight after the Vodacom Super Rugby final. Because of the Rugby World Cup, there will not be an incoming series next year.
The second round will see the Springboks host New Zealand and Argentina take on the Wallabies, while the third round matches will be between Australia and the All Blacks in Sydney; and South Africa and Argentina. The home venues for matches involving the Springboks and Argentina will be announced in due course.
“The Rugby Championship continues to be one of the game’s greatest tests, pitting the world’s elite rugby nations against one another,” said Sanzar Chief Executive Greg Peters.
“The intense rivalry between New Zealand and South Africa has risen to lofty new heights in recent years and subsequently evolved into one of sport’s ‘must watch’ events, captivating crowds in stadiums, bars and living rooms around the world.
“Argentina recently returned to the IRB's Top 10 and will seek to build on their inaugural victory in the championship while the Wallabies and All Blacks renew another rivalry steeped in history and tradition with clashes in Sydney and Auckland.”
The 2015 CASTLE LAGER RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP SCHEDULE
Round 1:
Friday 17 July: New Zealand v Argentina – AMI Stadium, Christchurch
Saturday 18 July: Australia v South Africa – Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Round 2:
Saturday 25 July: South Africa v New Zealand – Venue TBC
Saturday 25 July: Argentina v Australia – Venue TBC
Round 3:
Saturday 8 August: Australia v New Zealand – ANZ Stadium, Sydney
Saturday 8 August: South Africa v Argentina – Venue TBC
Additional week (not for competition points):
Saturday 15 August: New Zealand v Australia – Eden Park, Auckland
Saturday 15 August: Argentina v South Africa – Venue TBC
By Super Sports

Saru rejects Leopards complaint

A South African Rugby Union (Saru) judicial officer has rejected a complaint that the Valke fielded an ineligible player in their Absa Currie Cup First Division semifinal against the Leopards on 3 October.
The Valke won the match 31-24.
The Leopards complained that Valke flyhalf Clinton Swart was ineligible for the match as he had only been available to play for the team for two matches before the semifinal. They argued that the regulations required for him to be available for five log matches to be eligible for the playoffs.
The Leopards based their complaint on the argument that the Absa Currie Cup First Division was a double round tournament – including the preceding Absa Currie Cup Premier Division Qualifying tournament – and therefore required a five-match availability qualification period for playoff appearances.
The Valke argued that the tournament was a single round competition and therefore required only a two-match qualification period.
Saru Judicial Officer Rob Stelzner, SC, ruled that the competition was a single round tournament and that the Valke had not breached the regulations as Swart had fulfilled the appropriate qualification criteria.
“In my view the First Division competition (as dealt with under its separate heading) is to be treated as a separate and distinct single round competition with the preceding Qualifying Round (separately dealt with under a different rule) being played in a similar and distinct single round format,” wrote Advocate Stelzner in his verdict. “In the circumstances the complaint is not upheld.”
By SuperSports