Castleford's Craig Lingard slams decisions after Liam Watts red sees Wigan home

17 February 2024 , 19:44

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Castleford captain Joe Westerman can't believe it as referee Tom Grant brandishes red card for Liam Watts (Image: Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com)

Champions Wigan opened with victory but only after stunned Castleford prop Liam Watts saw red - a decision which infuriated his coach Craig Lingard

Liam Marshall (2), Patrick Mago, Bevan French and debutant Kruise Leeming scored tries as Matty Peet’s side began their title defence at rain-lashed Wheldon Road. But, ahead of Saturday’s World Club Challenge showdown with Penrith, it wasn’t as comfortable as the scoreline suggested. Fired-up Tigers led 4-2 against 12-man Wigan when Watts was controversially sent off in the 28th minute.

He copped England front-row Tyler Dupree with a shoulder to the head but fuming Castleford argued it was accidental. Under the new rules, it doesn’t matter. Watts, 33, has struggled with his technique since tackle laws have tightened and been hit with plenty of bans.

He’ll likely get another one after becoming the THIRD player sent off in Super League’s opening round of fixtures. Still, Watts and captain Joe Westerman both looked baffled when referee Tom Grant reached for the red card during the first-ever Super League game televised live by the BBC.

Wigan’s England scrum-half Harry Smith had already been sin-binned for a 21st-minute tip-tackle on Luke Hooley which could easily have been a red. He’ll face a nervous wait to see if he’s suspended for that clash with NRL premiers Penrith. But ex-Batley boss Lingard, in his first game in charge of Castleford, was furious the player wasn't given his marching orders.

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He said: “I’m led to believe the recommendation from the video ref (Jack Smith) was that Harry Smith’s challenge was a red card – and on the recommendation of someone else, the on field official, it was reduced to a yellow. Why? I need to choose my words carefully about our red card.

Castleford's Charbel Tasipale is tackled by Wigan's Adam Keighran. (Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com)

"I just don’t know what we expect Liam to do there. If someone flies out of the line and they whack someone around the head, I can wear that. I can’t wear this. I just can’t. As a coach, how can I coach my players this week for that to not happen again? I can’t. What’s the difference between Harry Smith picking someone up and dropping them on their head?

“There were loads of lessons we can learn [from the game]. We wanted to get that togetherness we’d had in pre-season out of it; from that showing we have. We saw a lot of heart. The Castleford public just wants a team that’s going to play for the badge and put loads of effort in – we saw that in abundance.”

Warriors, meanwhile, will be without England prop Luke Thompson next week. The ex-St Helens star suffered a head knock early on in his debut and failed the HIA so must automatically sit out the sold-out DW Stadium showdown.

Wigan's Liam Marshall celebrates his first try (Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com)

Castleford scrum-half Danny Richardson played his first Super League game in 18 months since suffering a horrific knee injury. His two penalties saw the unfancied hosts, who fielded six debutants and showed loads of spirit and guts, narrowly in front.

But, with Smith still off, Adam Keighran’s penalty levelled matters after Watts’ indiscretion. And Peet’s side gradually took control, Smith finishing with five goals. England prop Mike Cooper made his first Super League appearance since being crocked against Saints last Good Friday but ex-Leeds hooker Leeming left the ground on crutches with his foot in a protective boot.

Peet said: “With the way the game’s being policed at the moment and the slippy conditions, you felt there were a few today where there could’ve been red cards and we’ve got one eye on Saturday.

“So I was nervous about our own players. You feel for the lads at the moment but you understand why it has to happen. I’m not concerned about Harry Smith and the tip tackle but I haven’t looked at it with too much attention. Luke Thompson is really disappointed. He’s devastated, he’s been doing really well and it’s a shame for him.

“It’s a really exciting week now. We want to do the town, the club and the British game justice. This was the sort of fixture we needed.”

David Craven