Some people are just so ungrateful.

I don’t think holding rugby players playing an aggressive physic game to the same standards as people on the street has anything to do with it.

In RL you can tackle somebody within the laws and that is absolutely fine. If you had an issue with being tackled then I assume you wouldn’t play. If you tackled somebody in the street it would be an issue as they aren’t playing a game in which tackling is part and parcel of it.

In RL you cannot make contact with somebody’s bum hole, it isn’t part of the game. As it isn’t part of the game and never has been I think you can say well if you did that in the street what would happen. It isn’t ok in the game or on the street, that’s the point. Tackling is okay in the game, fingers in bum holes isn’t ok anywhere.

If a young lad is watching that they could think well is that something you do, on a rugby pitch or just generally in the playground? Your kid comes home saying oh this lad stuck his finger in my bum today but that rugby player did it so it’s okay.

You just don’t do that anywhere to somebody you don’t know or you don’t have consent to do it to. He should be banned, how long isn’t up to me so doesn’t matter what I think. However, I do know I don’t want to see that on a rugby pitch, as I said it isn’t part of the game it’s just horrible and has no place in a professional family sport as far as I am concerned.

Probably the right punishment is 4 games or so and a fine. It wasn't a great tackle aside from bum-hole-gate, he basically mugged Myler.

On another point, does anyone know if there is a weighting given for bans these days? So; a regular league fixture is not comparable to missing a Challenge Cup or Grand Final. I've never felt our disciplinary punishments are quite right. I don't mind the game being played hard but I don't like seeing out and out grubs getting away with it.

So far this season we have had bans for squirrel grabs (Tommy Makinson(6 games) & Tom Lineham(8 games)) & now this from Joel Tomkins. Just another example of the image problem the sport as.
Tomkins deserves at least a 8 game ban taking into account his previous record.
Personally think all 3 should be 20 games bans.

Tomkins and McIlorum both charged with grade F Other Contrary Behaviour

[urlhttps://www.rugby-league.com/article/57378/disciplinary--match-review-panel?fbclid=IwAR3nH-d2JtTRx2_y1PYy4-qTuliTKWTAjyyk_4Y9mhr_1BkD94crPehH9tM[/url

Has anyone checked Mylers undies for evidence?

No but Joel Tompkins sniffed the evidence on his finger before wiping it off

So what's that about 8 games each. Good, couldn't happen to a nice pair.

Tomkins being accused of 'manhandling'. That's excellent.

What was Hicks' excuse for missing these incidents that are going to result in bans of 8 games+ apiece?

More to the point what’s the punishment for Hicks. The referees in the game are a shambles

Playing Devil’s advocate here: Dwyer was falling down/forward when McIlorum made contact. Those are difficult ones.

Myler was asked by the referee if he’d like to make an allegation. If the ref didn’t see it then it’s one of those.

These are big games and the refs allow more to go with benefit of the doubt than in a normal league fixture.

Not saying the ref got it right but it’s easy to watch the slow mo video and make a judgement.

It’s fair that both players probably miss the next couple of games and that might well cost them the chance at the GF this year. Both grubby players.

Mcillorums was about him picking up an injured player by the scruff, he’s got 1 game as well for the tackle.

Unless you’re a video ref?

Spot on Mike.
You can sort of make allowances for the on field ref missing the Myler incident.
But Hicks having seen the replay and not reporting it is a disgrace.
Same goes for Dwyers incident.
What did Kendall and Hicks think might have happened when Dywer had blood pouring from his face and watching the Grub pulling an injured player up off the deck?
However many games these two players get the referees Hicks in particular should get the same.

A smack round the nose and a finger up the Arris would likely ensure Hicks pays better attention in future. Wtf was he doing? Nipped off to make a brew?

I dont think Video Refs can now report foul play anymore.

They can if they think it's worthy of a yellow or red card, I think

Correct. I have known two people go to prison for punching on the rugby field.

I am in no doubt that had Tomkins done that to a stranger either female or male on the street and a complaint was made to the Police, then he would at the minimum be cautioned. Likewise if Myler chose to make this a police matter, Tomkins would be cautioned.

I thought it changed this year. If it has its wrong and they should be able to. Getting the decision right should be most important thing.

Well Kendalls got a gig again this week. Between him and Moore for the final I reckon.

unbelievable, rewarding that refereeing performance

What I would say is that even without the benefit of time and replays, and without having to resort to sending a player from the field in a big game for something which wasn't initially seen or could be argued in McIlorum's case wasn't intentionally head high - both incidents in the round should have at least warranted a yellow card. Both clearly over the line (picking up an injured player: mugging Myler before the bum happened).

I'm not a fan of sending players off unless the play is clearly deliberate but one player has had his face smashed and another assaulted, no other way to put it and the refs have a duty of care.

It's not like either of these players, or the club actually, don't have form on this.

A Kendall reffed final between saints and Wigan - which I reckon it will be - could be a bit spicy!

He may not deserve it but in a way I hope he gets it

McIlorum in Sky’s team of the week. You couldn’t make it up.