I agree that that's what Ablett was trying to do, but he was reckless and probably deserves a 1 match ban for that reason.
Like you say though there are plenty of other incidents like in the Hudds v Wigan game and to be honest I'm suprised we haven't had more players injured from it.

I cannot remebertthe last 8 point try i saw.

Once a few are given you will find less incidents like this

Only ones in my mind of late are Leigh v Catalans 2011 and Bradford v Saints 2012, for a similar kick to the head from Foster.

It was a mistake, not intentional or malicious. It should have been an 8 pointer but never a game ban IMO. You could tell be the reaction of the Wire players that they saw little in it. The fact it wasn't called as an 8 pointer might count against Ablett however.

Someone's been reading RLFans.



[url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-league/27672745Hardaker faces RFL compliance department enquiry.[/url

I know you're joking but the Leeds fans saying odem is Shit stirring.

It was picked up in the refs mic, which I presume the match commissioner is wired in to and it's recorded (FOR training purposes).

Also if you watch the full segment back, prior to this he throws a full bossy fit at the ref when he originally blows for the penalty. I think he's in a bit of a sticky situation.

And if he's found guilty, it's 4-8 matches he could cop

What actually bothers me more is the fact the referee seems happy to take abuse and swearing from the players at all. When did things in RL change to the degree you can hurl abuse at the ref in such a way? Ablett, Hardaker and Peacock all clearly seen swearing at the ref in this particular game. I'm sure it happens in other games but it's rarely picked up so clearly.

It's a passionate game and most of us who play have probably seen the red mist descend at times on the field, but I've never spoken to a ref like that. I hope Childs simply didn't hear it over the crowd but most of the comments are made in close proximity.

If that happened on an amateur pitch the player would be off. The same should apply in SL. Zero tolerance.

Isn't he also in the naughty corner with Leeds owing to the off season/ World Cup incidents? There was talk of him leaving Leeds after that, be interesting to see if the club follows through with their threats...

It wasn't the club threatening to sack Hardaker at all. It was Hardaker apparently not too happy with his punishment from Leeds so didn't sign an extended contract.

i think approaching it in terms of punishment might be a mistake. I would much rather Hardaker (if correct) learned why it was wrong, the effects it has and work to improve the situation than an X match ban.

Quote ="Him"It wasn't the club threatening to sack Hardaker at all. It was Hardaker apparently not too happy with his punishment from Leeds so didn't sign an extended contract.'" www.therhinos.co.uk/news/21810.php#.U4zvDye9KSP As a result, the Club have issued him with a written warning and imposed a fine of £2,500. IF (and it's still an if at this stage guys) - surely that's another written warning (for "professionalism"icon_wink.gif in the space of 6 months - they can't give them out like tictacs!

Quote ="Him"It wasn't the club threatening to sack Hardaker at all. It was Hardaker apparently not too happy with his punishment from Leeds so didn't sign an extended contract.'" www.therhinos.co.uk/news/21810.php#.U4zvDye9KSP As a result, the Club have issued him with a written warning and imposed a fine of £2,500. IF (and it's still an if at this stage guys) - surely that's another written warning (for "professionalism"icon_wink.gif in the space of 6 months - they can't give them out like tictacs!

I like the idea of him going on a course and seeing why his language is unacceptable. But the RFL need to hand out a heavy ban on this. A 3 game ban won't suffice. What message does it send out when we're rolling the media bandwagon out with all the good work the sport does in tackling rascism/sexism/homophobia etc then just gives a player a slap on the wrist when a player shouts homophobic abuse at an official. We constantly portray our game as a family game, but there's a couple of incidents happening in games, particularly at officials that shows anything but. Time for the RFL to take a stand and nip this in the bud. It will portray the sport in such a bad light if he gets a small ban. Incidents like this can do such damage to the games image if not dealt with severely. For me an absolute minimum of 6 games, but I'd give him 8 and send a clear message that we ARE a family game and any racist/sexist/homophobic language/abuse will not be tolerated and will be dealt with severely. I don't think the RFL have the spine for this.

True but there was still no threat whatsoever from Leeds after his England stupidity. As I said Leeds wanted to get him to sign an extended long term deal, that he knocked back because he was (at the time) unhappy at how Leeds punished him. He wasn't unhappy to play for Leeds or anything/looking to move, just that he wasn't minded to sign an extension yet. Though IIRC he's signed up until end of 2016.

Just been looking on the Leeds forum and it makes for some embarrassing reading. Picking through various 'excuses' and 'How do we know?' arguments. If that was Tomkins, or Koukash, or God forbid Hock they'd be calling for a lynch mob about now.

How about a little honesty from them?

Meanwhile Weyman will cop a ban for mouthing at his team mate, wouldn't expect any less from the RFL.

m.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league ... zr50w.html Food for thought regarding a ban. Funny how all those up in arms missed this. Not a peep from the aggrieved then.

m.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league ... zr50w.html Food for thought regarding a ban. Funny how all those up in arms missed this. Not a peep from the aggrieved then.

Possibly because not every RL fan reads, researches, and studies every last piece of RL journalism from all over the world to gather together a cognitive response to whatever potential talking point may arise.

Your point is not a point at all. It's like if there's some crowd trouble at a Hull v HKR match and me digging up an article from the other side of the world regarding crowd trouble. Then telling everyone else they are over reacting over here because they'd never seen that article.

Well I found the story at several RL outlets weeks ago. This week in League did a great seg on it. The game has 2 major comps that's hardly world wide study. I've never said people are over reacting. I'm questioning the motivation for said reaction.

There's no motivation. People see the vid, see what he says and form an opinion that he's been a bit naughty. Except Leeds fans, who see it but let it pass through the visual cortex, allowing it to bypass the 'Sense and reason' part of the brain, then let it flood through their fingers and emerge as every excuse except the most obvious.

Like a huge bunch of Nelsons all stating in unison 'I see no ships!'

You are full of it. where are the leeds fans excuses? I havent offered any. I just dont think those bleeting really give 2 f**ks about gay rights. Thats what I think stinks. If Hardaker is guilty then through the book at him which for saying fag is about 2 games.

Someone got out of the wrong side of the bed this morning. Loads of Leeds fans excuses. On the forums, on social media. But I don't need to tell you that as you scour the planet of RL news every day...

I'm in bed mate its nearly midnight. All this is a witch hunt! Seen plenty over the years on RL fans. This one is no different. If it's 2 games, 10 games? Or Zak gets the hump and goes to the Wests Tigers or another NRL club nobody will give a toss in a month.

You're probably right on that one.

You'll give a toss, especially if he drops a third bollock, and in the nrl it'll be publicised over two new sources at the very least, according to you.

Hardaker should get at least a 5 game ban. And Leeds should give him another fine, double whatever was given to him last November. And if he was really given a formal, final warning by the club when that happened, his contract should be terminated.

The more simpleton elements of the Leeds support (such as some of those posting on here) will never get it - probably because they're not so disimilar to Hardaker in many ways. He's a chav done good. For a while - 2012 to 2013 - he was my absolute favourite player, but his outstanding performances are not enough to mitigate the less impressive aspects of his character which have become clear with greater exposure. If nothing else, his lifestyle choices won't be viewed particularly favourably by Sinfield and that's can be a career-breaker at Leeds.