Exactly! Everybody is outraged that Hohaia was out before the second punch. That is the issue here. If not we would have applauded Flower's act of retribution...

Sarcasm mode over. A scuffle followed by a shove followed by a punch is "perhaps" understandable. That second punch was cowardly, conscious or not, and anyone defending it will surely shake their head when they re-read this in the cold light of day...

Just back from the game and seen the incident on the half time review by Wells and Carney.
Wells draws attention to the fact that Hohaia instigated the incident by running in and belting Flower to the jaw with his forearm. Flower, by his reaction, obviously took it that Hohaia intended breaking his jaw. Flower reacts and punches Hohaia as he stands and then again when the Saints player in on the ground.
It certainly looked from that TV replay like Hohaia was the instigator and Flower the one who reacted.
Flower sent off correctly, Hohaia, the instigator, not dealt with at all.
That's how it looks from the SKY TV output.

At the end of the day Flower hit a man on the deck who was already out. He is a coward and hopefully will have the book thrown at him.

You missed the bit where Flower hit Lance on the way past in order to get to the ball, which is what Lance reacted to!

Can't believe some are trying to justify a cowardly attack on a unconscious player. Should be banned 6 month from start of season. Regarding the match Wigan put in a sterling show but saints just about deserved it

Which shows how crap SKY are, doesnt it? Flower hits Hohia on his way past him, now why would he do that?

Flower could face criminal action for assault. Wigan should make a statement and suspend him themselves.

Anyone attempting to excuse or justify Flower after that are embarrassing themselves.

Reaction from Wane rlhererl

Fair comments from brown quoted there! Unlike on the THEIR forum

Flower instigated the whole thing. Take a look at the footage; when the bomb was kicked Flower swiped one at Hohaia in back play, that's why he reacted and ran in at Flower, then flower decked him then finished him off.

I make that 3-to-1.

And one of those he was prone and defenceless.

im all for a bit of biff and getting one back, but surely no one, not even wigan fans can defend a man punching another man square in the face whilst he is prone on the ground and defenceless?
whatever the rights and wrongs and who started it ..flower should not have hit him when he was on the ground- that is a cowardly act of thuggery, simple as that.

Some Wigan fans are trying to though, I think met people agree first punch was fair game second despicable 12 matches for that

No they aren't.

I really don't think they are. The only thing I've seen is someone suggesting the outcry is OTT. Whether you agree with that sentiment or not it's hardly trying to 'justify' it. What's more, that's the only thing I've seen that doesn't outright condemn it! As for the 12 matches, that is DEFINITELY OTT. Long ban for sure but this was hardly more than happened to Blake Green in last years final and, in terms of the damage done to the player at least, could be argued that it wasn't as bad. That offence got 2 matches if I remember correctly. I'm guessing this will warrant in the region of 3 to 5 matches although I wouldn't argue too much against more if that was the outcome.