Jon Wilkin slammed the decision to not send Sam Walters from the field in the major flash point during Leeds Rhinos' controversial victory over St Helens. With the game poised at 24 apiece in the closing minutes, Jack Welsby was penalised for retaliating after the Rhinos prop produced an alleged shoulder charge on Matty Lees.
The incident took place 40 metres off the Leeds line and in a central position. Had the penalty gone Saints' way, they would have had an opportunity to kick for goal and take the lead in the closing minutes.
But Chris Kendall instead gave Leeds the penalty for Welsby's reaction and after Konrad Hurrell was sent off for a shoulder to the head of Richie Myler, Blake Austin landed a drop goal 14 seconds from time to secure Leeds their first win against St Helens in 13 attempts.
Read more: Rohan Smith in heated confrontation with St Helens supporters after controversial Leeds Rhinos win
Discussing the incident, Wilkin initially felt Walters had done nothing wrong but after further review, was left the slam the referee's crucial call.
“That is a shocker," he said. "That’s not a shoulder charge? I called it from up here that it looked like a fair challenge so I get it, but having seen it a few times are you telling me it is not a shoulder charge? Saints will be fuming with that decision.”
Wilkin even went as far as to suggest Walters should have been carded. “You can’t do that. That is a shoulder charge. I apologise to Jack Welsby, that is a shoulder charge.
“That is a step too far, he will be lucky to still be on the field. At first I thought he had wrapped the arm but it was Cameron Smith who had done that. When Matty Lees is coming at you like that, you have to wrap your arm around.”
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