‘It’s a little bit harsh, it’s not late’ – Hull KR forward sin-binned in Challenge Cup final
Elliot Minchella in action for Hull KR in the Challenge Cup final
Hull KR forward Elliot Minchella was sin-binned in the first half of the Challenge Cup final against Leigh Leopards.
The 27-year-old was shown a yellow card in the first half by referee Chris Kendall for what was deemed to be a late hit on Leigh kicker Ben Reynolds.
As a result, the Leopards were awarded the penalty and Minchella was sentenced to 10 minutes in the sin bin, with BBC pundit and dual-code legend Jonathan Davies disagreeing with the decision.
“You can’t give kickers that amount of space,” Davies said on the BBC commentary.
“If you’re a kicker, you’ve got to create your own space I think.
“I know they’re trying to protect the kicker, but maybe you put more pressure, wrap your arms. It’s a little bit harsh, it’s not late.
“Just get on with it. They’re trying to get players sent off, it’s getting a bit pathetic now lads.
“I can understand a directive that they’re trying to protect a player, especially a kicker, but he turned, he didn’t lead with the elbow.
“This is a Challenge Cup final, players work their socks off to get in a position then a referee makes that decision.
“When you look at it again, I’m not sure he led with his elbow. I think that’s harsh.”
Minchella is the first player to be carded in a Cup final since Bradford’s Shane Rigon in 2001.
The Leopards led 10-8 at half-time. They took the lead through a penalty goal from Reynolds before Hull KR’s Jez Litten scored the opening try thanks to a smart break from Minchella, with Brad Schneider converting.
Leigh regained the lead in the 26th minute when a lovely one-two from Lachlan Lam and Kai O’Donnell saw Papua New Guinea superstar Lam go over.
Minchella’s yellow card came on the half hour mark before Schneider added a penalty goal for KR late in the first half, with Willie Peters’ side trailing 10-8 at the break.