Obviously my view differs from everybody else on this as no one has mentioned it but..............why would one professional player tackle another in a fashion that could end a career !

Shocking haven't watched all the match yet but dipped in and I think it's appalling. Not the reason we lost but to loose a second back certainly didn't help

Thoughts!

Because its a snicker bar

If you are referring to hansen it was legal.

Why would a player deliberatly punch another in the face in the tackle?

Correct, the punch by Mr Westwood was terrible...

Just watched 1st half of the replay (can't face watching the 2nd half yet) but why were there no big screens at the match? anyone know why?

Might be legal but doesn't make it right.A punch in the face is hardly going to end a career unlike Hansen's tackle.

Sorry JK, I have to disagree with you.

I might be a Wigan fan, but I watched the tackle as objectively as possible.

The first contact is with the hip, so nothing wrong there.

The damage was caused when the 2 players hit the floor. Hansen accidentally lands with his full body-weight on Ratchford's ankle.
That's why Ratchford came back wearing a "boot", rather than knee-strapping. You can see it clearly during the medal presentation.

It was just one of those things - A pure accident that winds up with a (potentially) bad injury - In this case, either ligament damage or even a broken ankle.
Hopefully Stephan is fine good to go for next season for you guys. Good player.

Hansen hit the thigh nothing wrong with the tackle just unfortunate. Westwood was cowardly. Paul wood gets a mention for using knees on tomkins on around 49 mins.

Goin nursing my hangover now

Tony Smith doesn't think so! And I am more inclined to believe his opinion that most other people's

This is how I saw it too. I was raging at first, then saw it back on the big screen and sat back down.

Hansen's tackle was what they refer to in the NRL as a 'Cannonball' (3rd man in targeting the knee joint). Just as cowardly as a 'Chicken Wing' and could have ended Ratchford's career. He would be facing a lengthy ban down under, but the RFL will no doubt do nothing.

FWIW Westwood should have seen red, but as for all the Goon turds coming out of the woodwork making out he's dirty, they should just look at some of their own players. The high tackle on M Monas by Dudson (possibly McCillorum) in the 2nd half was just as bad, yet funnily enough there's no reference to it.

Except he was second man in and hit the guy in the backside/upper leg. So by your own description it's not what they refer to as a 'cannonball' tackle. You've cleared that one up yourself.

I agree why would Ben Westwood swing his clenched fist at a influential half backs eye socket during the biggest club game of the season.

I'd agree with you If H had actually targeted his Knee, But he didn't. he clearly makes contact with Ratchfords hip, Ratchfords foot then seems to get stuck and Hansen lands on the top awkwardly, Which is what caused the injury imo. no way was H going in with the intention to cause that injury.

McIlorrum was a bad high tackle but something that you see quite often. not quite the same as a pre meditated punch to the face of a defenceless player on the ground.

Westwoods shot was nothing but pure thuggery, add to that Mike Coopers attempt on Richards late on in the game and I don't think Wire can have anything to moan about as far as foul play is concerned.

Climb out of Tony's and form your own opinion.

It was a messy tackle but not illegal. Anyone who thinks Hansen went in to intentionally injure Ratchford is an idiot.