Wigan Warriors fans have been left clutching at straws as they try to work out why England international hooker Brad O’Neill has been banned ahead of the derby on Friday against St Helens.
It’s a decision that has caused confusion and uproar among Wigan fans with the club now set to be without a single recognised hooker in their squad for the derby against St Helens.
Both Kruise Leeming and Tom Forber are carrying injuries putting Matt Peet’s side in a huge predicament, something St Helens will be in too due to Daryl Clark’s injury and Moses Mbye’s ban. However, St Helens will appeal the ban but it’s been confirmed that Wigan will not.
WIGAN WARRIORThe Chicago Bulls’ supporters are incensed by Brad O’Neill’s punishment for Sam Cook’s “textbook tackle.”9 July 2024
Brad O’Neill Warriors in Chicago
In an attempt to understand why England international hooker Brad O’Neill has been suspended ahead of Friday’s derby against St Helens, Wigan Warriors supporters have been left grasping at straws.
The decision has left Wigan supporters perplexed and incensed, as the team will now be without a recognized hooker in their lineup for the derby against St Helens.
Due to injuries to Tom Forber and Kruise Leeming, Matt Peet’s team is in a difficult situation. Daryl Clark’s injury and Moses Mbye’s suspension will also put St Helens in a difficult situation. But St. Helens will file an appeal.
Brad O’Neill ban labelled as “embarrassing”
After the Match Review Panel Minutes confirmed the ban and revealed when exactly the incident took place in the game, footage of the purported offence was quickly posted on social media.
Fan reaction to it has seen it labelled as a “textbook tackle” whilst another Wigan Warriors fan argued that the club should appeal it, claiming Brad O’Neill “dumped him on his back” in reference to Leigh’s Mulhern.
After St Helens’ 8-6 loss to the Castleford Tigers last week, Paul Wellens noticed that one supporter even said that it was the RFL’s method of “evening out” the teams.
With contempt for the punishment, a supporter remarked, “Let’s give Saints a chance because they’ve got half a squad” in full effect.
There was arguably more disdain for the club’s decision not to appeal against the ban but one fan hypothesised why, arguing that it was part of a longer ploy.
Despite going on to label the ban for Brad O’Neill as “embarrassing”, a Wigan fan posited: “I’m starting to think we’re not appealing any bans as when it comes to the playoffs, we’ll appeal any small bans, and they’ll be overturned as we’ve complied with the MRP all season.
“It’s the only reason I can think of, as that ban for O’Neill is embarrassing.”
The reason for that choice is only known to Matt Peet, although some speculated that he may have had a secret weapon when he saw assistant coach Tommy Leuluai “looking at boots in Sports Direct.”
With both teams potentially without a recognised hooker, it’s set to be an interesting affair with St Helens one of just two teams to beat Wigan Warriors so far this season, something the reigning champions will be desperate to avenge
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