6 Months ?

I bet Oscar Pistorious gets less for murder

With the game being the GF, the wordwide (yeah what's that about) attention it's received, and all the talk of GMP getting involved the RFL had to show people that it had dealt with this appropriately.

Most people won't disagree with the punishment, some softcocks will argue it should be more and the odd one-eyed muppet will think it too strong.

All considered i think it's the right decision, if this had been Leigh v Fev at the LSV mid season though it would have been a 3 game ban if that and a small fine.

It is time to change the disciplinary procedure and put in place clear and transparent procedures and stop this making it up as they go along attitude.

If it'd been games & not a period, we could legitimately have increased the off-season friendlies, persuaded Kear to retrospectively include him in the Welsh squad, loaned him out on dual reg & double counted 'til the cows came home.
At least we'd be accused of setting out to do all that.

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"?

Surely if you rugby tackle someone in the street you too could get done for assault?

Will the police be intervening in games after players have been tackled?

Absolute load of old pony, IMO Newton on Gilmour/Long was worse but back then we didn't have social media as prominent as now. Police? FFS!!!????