“Never a red” – Current and former players respond to Challenge Cup sending off, including Sam Tomkins
Joe Shorrocks sent off against Hull KR in the Challenge Cup for a high shot on Mikey Lewis. Photo by Dean Williams / Alamy Stock Photo.
Sam Tomkins was among those to disagree with the referee’s decision to send off Joe Shorrocks for a high shot on Mikey Lewis during the Challenge Cup semi final.
Shorrocks, 23, was only introduced to the action from the bench in the second half for Willie Isa, who remained in the changing rooms upon the restart.
The utility forward was shown a red less than a minute later for a high shot on makeshift Hull KR full-back Lewis.
Ex-Wigan superstar and current Catalans Dragons full-back Tomkins was among the current players to disagree with the decision made by official Liam Moore.
Tomkins, who will retire at the end of the current campaign, won two Challenge Cups with the DW Stadium outfit.
He wrote: “Red card????? Madness.”
Red card?????
Madness
— sam tomkins (@samtomkins1) July 23, 2023
Former hooker Mickey Higham, who represented Leigh, St Helens, Wigan and Warrington during his illustrious career, also disagreed with the decision.
The now-42-year-old made 452 career appearances and hung up the boots at the end of 2019 with hometown club Leigh.
He wrote on Twitter: “Never a red in a million years.”
Other former players such as Ryan Boyle and Stefan Marsh also shared their views on Twitter following the early second half incident, alongside many disgruntled Wigan supporters.
Former Wigan, Huddersfield Salford and North Wales forward Stephen Wild believed the incident only deserved a yellow card.
Yellow card that all day
— Stephen Wild (@steWild13) July 23, 2023
However, former referee Ian Smith agreed with the official’s decision on the field. The Warriors will play the rest of the game with 12 men with the score locked at 10-10 at Headingley Stadium for the final spot at Wembley Stadium, with Leigh securing their place over St Helens on Saturday.
Anything more than a two-game ban for Shorrocks would see the forward miss the final, if Wigan can claim a victory over Hull KR.
The Warriors face Leigh and Hull KR in their next two Super League fixtures, with the final set to take place on Saturday, August 12, alongside the Women’s Challenge Cup final and the 1895 Cup final.
Clear red card for me George.
— Ian Smith (@Iansmith2468) July 23, 2023