I'm surprised by the lack of outrage at that tackle. As a Saints fan, it certainly adds weight to Wigan fans theory that people are only interested when their players do cannonball tackles.

The Ian Henderson tackle was an absolute disgrace, far worse than Powell's last week, not far off being as bad as Chase's. What was just as bad was James Child not sending him to the sin bin. Earlier this year, foul play was correctly punished on the field by yellow cards. As per usual, this interpretation has been forgotten.

Bateman got straight up from it, but if we would have stayed down, then I think Henderson would have walked. The seriousness of an injury should not dictate the punishment IMO. The risk for injury should and that tackle caused a huge risk. I'd be very disappointed if Henderson didn't get at least a 4 match ban for that.

I'd imagine not that many people have actually seen it with the Catalans game being on the red button. I flicked between it and the Championship game and didn't see the incident

I see them most games i watch, but if the perpertrator is not in Cherry and White, it seems to be ok...

Cannonball tackles such as Chase on Ferres need to be outlawed - but here is the key point - the punishment needs to be instant and not referred to the review panel. To do this the held call has to be better enforced and contact thereafter penalised.
This issue has all come about partly due to the ref not enforcing the held call that allows the third player time to come in. Whether or not a cannonball tackle occurs there are far too many incidents where subsequent to the held call and after the attacker naturally relaxes in order to ptb the tacklers continue to grapple and often throw the tackled player to ground.
We have seen this taken a step further with the force used by the third low down tackler and that is totally unacceptable and dangerous.
Refs need to control the held call. That would not only protect players but would also speed up the ptb for a more free flowing spectacle.

You're right about the held call, it's also that too often a held call leads to a quick play the ball meaning the defenders involved in the tackle are offside/not square and so nice easy metres for the dummy half.

The held call needs to be called quicker but we also need a way of ensuring that after the held call the play the ball isn't taken too quick. Something like the "held" version of the "surrender" or "dominant" call where the ref allows the defenders longer to get off the tackled player.

Having said that, it doesn't excuse in any way, shape or form the appalling nature of these tackles. Only the players who commit them and the coaches who encourage them are to blame for them. There is absolutely no need whatsoever for these type of tackles

For me, any tackle, executed with force, on the leg(s) (ie below the thigh) of a player already in contact with another defender should be outlawed. It should also be a straight red card and minimum 5 match ban. The key point being the red card on the pitch. That's the real deterrent to any action by a player. I'd also have the disciplinary keep an eye on how many incidents are committed by 1 club and if they reach a certain point sanction that club and head coach.

The intent and purpose of these tackles is to cause pain and injury so should be met with a harsh response from the officials and disciplinary.

Without reading 8 pages of arguments...adopt a 2nd ref to police the tackle and ruck would make it easier to punish these awful tackles...plus a mandatory 8 game ban

same here, didn't know anything about it until i red something on this thread.

It will be interesting to see if it's picked up for the disciplinary meeting...

Henderson has been charged with a Grade B 1-2 Games which is an absolute disgrace.The tackle is on a par with Chases tackle,the only difference being that Bateman was lucky to walk away injury free.Yet again the RFL are showing their total lack of consistency.

I hate Wigan, but the Henderson tackle was an absolute shocker and he should have the book thrown at him. Nasty sod.

It's the inconsistencies I cant understand. Chase gets a 7 game ban, yet Henderson likely to pick up a 2-3 game.

Also Ferres returned from injury sustained in the Chase incident 2 weeks ago, meaning Chase has to sit out a further 3 games from when Ferres was back playing. Is that fair? Doesn't help when Anderson came out in the press after the game saying Ferres was 'expected' to be out for months and months, when he clearly hadn't even been looked at by the medical experts. In the end he didn't even need surgery and was back within a much shorter period than doctor Anderson had predicted.

These type of instances are frustrating for supporters. If you're going to throw the book at one, it's got to be thrown at them all. IMO the Chase incident was a 4-5 game ban max.

As I type this I have just read Cory Paterson is getting a 1-2 game ban for an elbow on Myler. Paterson was clearly manoeuvring his arm into position to attempt an off-load and the collision with Myler was totally accidental. Who sits on this RFL review panel?

Usually a panel of three former refs, players or coaches, with the RFL Compliance Manager in there as minute taker.

Contentious one that. I'm with you, he was clearly attempting to get his arm over and around Myler to get the offload away and the impact was completely accidental. They must have deemed it reckless however, as the contact was pretty severe.

The panels are always a sham. You'll get Phil Clarke's brother and father on there when a Wigan player is up before a big game for example.

Contact with the head, is intent even a factor?

Yes, as he's not the defender. The defender has little to no excuse for a high tackle. The attacker can't always be held responsible for where a defender puts his head. The Willie Tonga v Walmsley incident probably being the perfect example.

Having said that the attacker still has a responsibility to not put a defender at risk. Unfortunately, and I agree it was totally unintentional, the way Paterson ran in and moved his arms put his elbow forward and so put the defender at risk. Much like how Fozzard used to run in with his forearm/elbow up.

A 1 match ban for me, mostly because of his previous.