Ban should have started at beginning of next season. rfl copout!!

McManus at Saints has said the same about consistency i.e. not making it up as you put it. A bit ironic considering LH got off with a 1 match ban when other players have got 3 or 4 for similar.

Waaahhh!

I shouldn't let it and I'd like to separate it totally to Flowers moment of madness but Hohiha's punishment is really grating on me. It was a shocker in itself and he's got off very lightly. I also didn't like the tone of his interview after the game where he said he held no grudges against Flower and mentioned how bad Flower must be feeling whilst not holding his hands up at all to playing a major part in the incident.

I think Flower can count himself reasonably lucky but so can Hobiha.

He still wouldn't have been able to play in any friendlies and just counted two against the ban - he also said previously he wasn't available for Wales so 6 months or 13 games makes no difference.

The RFL have gone for 6 months to try and appease the outrage junkies on Twitter, here etc. as they'll be too thick to realise what it means.

Have some humility....

Just playing devils advocate here, but say the police press charges against Flower. Where do you draw the line? Technically Hohaia would have been arrested if he had (got caught) elbowing someone in the face and charged with battery as would Flower. They may have differing sentences but each incident was outside of the rule of the game and would have been deemed illegal if happened off the pitch. There are other incidents which could be charged with higher than battery and so could be tried for ABH and in a few select incidents, GBH.

It opens up a whole can of worms where any incident outside of the rules of the game could have the police asked to press charges because it would be deemed illegal if on the street.

I agree it would start with Wigan supporters phoning about Wood on Petty a few weeks ago and it would just be a farce. It would go tit for tat and in the end it could kill the game in this country as no player would want to play given the risk. Punching someone is a criminal offence regardless of circumstances.

RFL need to look at itself as what LH got is a joke given the intent and contact area. You will be guaranteed next season a player will do the same and get 3-4 games.

I think it's a good response from McManus.

He does make a lot about inconsistencies and he is right.
Westwood in last year's GF with a 1 match ban.
More recently Wood 1 match ban, Walmsley 1 match ban after sending off. Far too light IMO.

I take the view that the RFL knew all along what they are doing. 6 months sounds an age for PR purposes but in reality it's 10 SL games which is about right IMO.
I've never thought friendlies should be included anyway.

McManus I don't think used the word review but that's what he appears to be getting at.

IMO the 11 games he will serve is pretty harsh.

If Flower is banned for "6 months" does this mean Hohaia is banned for "4 months"?