Penalised St Helens star Jack Welsby was shocked by Chris Kendall’s controversial call - but praised the referee for showing a “strong mind” as the World Club Challenge champions fell.
Less than a fortnight after beating NRL premiers Penrith by a point in Sydney, Saints were on the wrong end of a drop-goal defeat against Leeds on Friday. The Super League champions blew a 24-12 lead before seeing Rhinos’ Blake Austin’s snatch a 25-24 success with just 25 seconds remaining.
But Saints were seething after Rhinos’ forward Sam Walters escaped punishment for an alleged shoulder charge on Matty Lees in front of the Leeds posts shortly before Austin’s killer play.
