How selective. Flower had already smacked Lance. Hohaia's forearm smash was in response to that. If not for Flower's coward punch, then a yellow card for both would have bee in order.

Old news: I am disappointed in you.

Everybody long ago has countless times stated that Hohaia probably deserved the first punch and both will have suffered 'on report' at worst (the sin bin option seems to have been long forgotten by the on field officaldom). It was the follow through on a prone semi conscious defenceless man that was inexcusable.

It was just stupid. Flower is a big lad who took a but of a hit off the ball from a half back, that happens. His overreaction left the official with no choice but a red card and left Wigan potless for the season.
I am not convinced the second punch was as pre-meditated as some think , and I actually think he would have escaped a red without it.
In all the comments I've read I haven't heard much about how Flower ruined the night for the man he knocked out. A winners medal he may have but not much to remember from the night.

Ultimately a fitting end to one of the worst seasons I can remember.

Doing the rounds that Leeds have signed Hock on a 2 year deal. I'd take that.

To be honest, although I feel for Hohaia and hope he has no injuries, the saying "if you play with fire, you're going to get burnt" springs to mind. As a half-back, you can't expect no retaliation when you go and chase a prop and forearm him in the face (even if he shoved you first). He probably would've been out of the game without the second horrible punch - point being a lot of people have said the first one was 'fair'.

And fully agree with the final statement.

So you think that a bit of roughing up deserves a punch to the face while sparked out on the floor then?

He has a broken nose and is being observed for concussion, etc. He can't yet go home until he has been cleared by the medics.

Can't say I'd noticed he was smiling.

Thought I'd finally get around to selecting an avatar and chose a former Leeds player.

That it happens to be Shaun Wane is merely incidental

I never said he deserved even the first punch never mind the second, try reading posts before quoting and replying to them.

And looking at it from another POV, does Flower's shove in Hohaia's back 'deserve' a forearm in the chin from him (if you want to use that word)?

Considering the force of the punches, a broken nose is quite lucky. He said himself he wanted to go back on the pitch, quite incredible.

I've heard that rumour as well.

Cracking news if there's truth in it and it comes to fruition.

I would have serious misgivings about signing Gareth Hock. If somebody can get him to be the player he could/should be, then great.

If what you get is some strong carries and offloads accompanied by clocking off in defence, foolish penalties and the occasional long spell collecting his wages from the stands while banned for a brain implosion, not so happy days.

It would be a risk, to say the least.

I very much doubt that it's true anyway.

WHEN on form, just the kind of player we need for our pack, BUT not the kind of person we need at our club and I cannot see anyway that GH will sign him

Barrie McDermott was a loose cannon (on and off the field) who Wigan decided was expendable and whom no other club would entertain. Leeds took a chance on him. Now he's one of two hall of famers on this website