Just watching the re-run, bit of a naughty tackle on Wheeler, who was obviously injured.

Leeds (Bailey) were penalised for the same thing last week.

Aye, there was no need for it. Wheeler pulled up well before he got to Atkins.

Did Atkins know he was injured though? From recollection he came from behind another player, so perhaps wasn't to know he hadn't just slipped.

He knew, it was obvious Wheeler was injured wasn't making an attempt to regain his feet; he had a few seconds with Wheeler in full view before hitting him.

Yes, that was mean and totally unnecessary. All he had to do was touch Wheeler to secure the tackle. Wheeler looked like a rag doll underneath him. He went down pretty hard and didn't seem to express any regret afterwards like some players do.

Must admit lads it was a bit poor of Atkins that. I dont want anything like Bailey creeping into our side hope thats the last time I see something like that.

One of the front runners for the 2009 Ugliest Mush in SL award.

Who Ryan Atkins?...

boring

If it had been a sainted Saints player who did this would you be commenting - no - take the blinkers off and move on

Actually I would, but dont let facts get in the way of your posts. It was worth pointing out and was also pointed by Clarke on Sky.

If it was bad, we would be commenting, yes. We aren't so partisan as to ignore when our players are naughty or dirty. We generally don't like that. A regular bit of biff, great, but what Atkins did was not on. And as has been said, Phil Clarke commented as it happened on the Sky coverage.

It wasn't anything worth posting about. He seems a good player to me and he's banged Channelle which can't be a bad thing.

Our next British centre perhaps?

What does that matter ?

This is sad and boring. Why bring Bailey into it.

Atkins and Bailey did nothing wrong despite what the ref and PC think.

It is a gladiatoral contest with full contact. ont pull the shirt on if you can take it.

I hope you are as critical the next time its a Saints player.

The Aussies and Kiwis would rip him apart, his defence is still at the level it was when he first went to Wakey, he hasn't improved in that part of his game at all.

Plus he looks like a black Freddie Mercury!

Keep your shirt on, Atkins didn't technically do anything wrong, but Wheeler had gone down with a sprained ankle. I think if you ask the majority of SL players, they wouldn't say that's an oppurtunity to bang someone.

The sport's tough enough with out someone piling into when you're on the floor injured.

That said; I wouldn't class it as anything more than (as PC put it) "A bit naughty"

As for Aktins as a player? I've always found him impressive physically but dissapoiting technically. How old is he now?

Atkins doesnt look to have kicked on, as much as his potential would have suggested he could.

He needs to move to either Saints or Leeds, or his potential will be wasted.

c'mon now folks dont 'bag' him too much he may play in the red vee one day...

Have to agree with the general sentiment. When I saw it, it was clear the player had pulled up, and to jump on him like that looked a cheap shot. Had it not been the night it was, it is the sort of thing that leads to a bit of biff (not normally complaining about that!), but I would have rather seen Atkins put a big shot on someone running at him rather than an injured man lying on the floor in pain.

I brought Bailey into it to illustrate the inconsistency between the refs, if it was a penalty when Bailey did it Graham it should have been when Atkins did it on Wheeler.

Wheeler was quite clearly injured and what Atkins did was unncessary. As I have pointed out earlier I would be critical if a Saints player did it.

He will be fine at Wakey thanks!

Hopefuly he will have a big year this and start to show he is good enough for England. He has certianly started well this season and hopefuly he can be more consistent this season.

He is doing well at Wakey I am sure he will stay there.

The tackle was not required really. I have seen worse (Adrian Shelford anyone!!). It should really be illegal to do that but as it is not there is not much more to say about it.

The ref was clearly wrong in the Bailey case and would also have been wrong in the Atkins/Wheeler case.

Both players were in possession of the ball and not tackled at the time.

The defender has a duty to prevent the ball carrier off loading the ball.