Flower whacked him before and that's why Hohaia went for him.....if he hadn't gone down I reckon both would have walked

Never. Please don't even try and make excuses for what Flower did, you will just embarrass yourself.

Started by Flower in back play.
Hoahai get one back with interest.
Then Flower lost it.
He'd have stayed on or got a yellow if he'd left it at that.

There was hardy anything in what Hohaia did. It would have been penalty sufficient.
A shove back from Flower would have been appropriate, not smacking him in the face and then again when the guy is already out cold on the floor.
Absolute disgraceful and nothing would please me more than Wigan to go on and lose (which to be fair, doesn't look like happening) and Flower never playing rugby again (and maybe getting a punch of his own on the way home).

He wasn't but it showed you on Sky Hohaia going in with forearm on Flower but it still doesn't excuse what Flower did

At no point did I try to make an excuse. I said I could understand why he lost it. There is a massive difference between a reason and an excuse. Flower pushed Hohia after the kick. If you want to look at the first offence that was it. That doesn't excuse Hohia running over and elbowing Flower in the head. It doesn't excuse Flower from doing what he did.

Please explain how Hohia running in and elbowing Flower in the head is not rl a red card offence?

It's not worth going there.
Key point is Flowers sick attack on an unconsious man on the ground.
On civvy street he'd have been arrested.

Cannot see it. The first punch I can understand. It's the assault on a knocked out person on the floor there is no defence for. Completely shocked me. It's the most disgusting thing I have seen in a professional environment.

You'd get arrested for elbowing someone in the face as well. Flower hitting him on the ground was stupid and a disgrace but it probably saved a red for Hohia.

Flower had a great chance to score the first try but bombed it and I think that frustration played a part in him losing it and over reacting.

Not by any means an excuse just a possible reason

That defeat rests on the shoulders of Flower.

With him on the field, wigan win. Wigan were the better team a man down.

Disgraceful act.

LOL at flower and wigan.

At last, someone who understands the difference between a reason and an excuse. Barry Mac just got it spot on. He said I can understand why he reacted but it doesn't excuse what he did.

Nonsense. Hohia's was nothing he was never ever getting sent of for it.

What's your opinion on Flower attacking Hohaia's head which kicked the whole incedent off?

No, it rests on the head of Magilla for letting his players take the pitch in that frame of mind.

No one is making excuses for Flower. There are two distinct incidents here. After the first punch he should have left it. The first punch was a reaction to a player running twenty yards and putting two forearms into his face. Stupid reaction but understandable by even the most biased anti-Wiganer. Both players should have walked (or in one case have been carried), but as often happens the ref dealt with the issue comparatively. The second issue was the shot on the floor, that was disgraceful, and shows a failing in his character that needs to be addressed .
Flower should be punished harshly but fairly, even if that was to mean prosecution. However I would expect something like given to Terry Newton. To those hysterics peeing their pants, though, about stringing the lad up just look at yourselves and grow up. You see it every week amongst those who do not play, no longer play or have never played. If you have played at any level for any time you might well have "smiled" to see your enforcer doing something similar. You might even find yourselves judged by the same standards one day.
Ben Flower will be dragged over the coals, quite rightly, then he might learn something, and get back to doing what he is good at. In the meantime, in St Helens, there will be a lot of smug faces thinking about how someone took one for the team.
By the way Saints, well done, double winners and probably deserved for your efforts this season.

He's already done tht on the VT I dot think he's bothered about making himself look like a pratt.

Blame Shaun wane for his thug tactics, his players are just carrying out his orders in the dressing room.

Too pumped up, & frustration will have been major facts for his moment of madness, they are a different breed front rowers, who are under pressure to be horrible but on the right side of the rules. Defo sending off, you had chances to win the game, don't think Smith/Green took charge enough, maybe thought it would have been easier then it was with saints players all out of position, & no real playmakers.

Could i suggest you take the rest of the night off and try and engage your brain before posting.

Flowers attack on Hohaia was the worst thing i have ever seen in any professional sport.
There is nothing else to say there is no context.

That punch on an unconscious player was just inexcusable

Flower needs a lengthy ban and his thuggery cost Wigan big time.

What Ben Flower did was inexcusable..retaliation is one thing but a follow up assault on a man clearly knocked out is nothing short of thuggery... That was the reason we lost our title tonight...

I actually feel a bit sorry for Flower and before anybody slates me for that, then just put yourself in his boots for a moment.

Two minutes into one of the biggest games of your career, in front of a huge, passionate crowd, coach's motivational words still ringing in your ears, opposition forwards have already been putting in cheap shots, then you suddenly take a shot in the face from an opposing forearm - Now, in my opinion, the first punch is perfectly acceptable... However, the mist is definitely down and instinctively jump in for another shot - Its cheap, and its nasty, but you can't honestly tell me that Flower knew that Hohaia was out cold?

Red card definite, long ban almost certain and deserved, but his main crime was being lured into the trap of retaliation and being unlucky to pick on a guy who had a glass jaw - Without Hohaia's alarming lack of chin, it would have been 10 minutes in the bin for both of them and, with it, probably a completely different game.

There was too big a gap between the first and 2nd punch. He thought about what he did.It was so far out of order it was off the scale.

The rah rah loving press will have a field day.

Twitter messages

Barrow Police: "When out and about tonight don't act like @WiganWarriorsRL Ben Flower or you will end up #bangedupinbarrow"
QPR midfielder Joey Barton: "Actually feel a bit sorry for Ben Flower. Lance started it with his elbow. Superb first dig from Flower. Second when he's KO'd is out of order."
Former England rugby union player Brian Moore: "Ben Flower - his first punch was retaliation for a cheap shot on him; second one was unforgiveable."
Former Wigan winger Martin Offiah: "Second punch Flower threw was over the top but in Rugby League if you forearm somebody in the face you can't complain if he clocks you one if I had done what Lance did I'd expect a slap. You play with fire you get burnt man. Lance Hohia will never attack Ben Flower again. Not condoning second punch on a prone player. I don't remember trying to take on a prop. You don't attack props and there was some provocation. If by stating that it makes me Satan then so be it."
Former England striker Gary Lineker: "If only other team sports could match the on-field behaviour of football."
Former England striker Michael Owen: "In China but just seen those punches in the Super League Grand Final on Twitter. First one was shocking but the second one was a disgrace. Can you imagine the outcry if a footballer did that? Can sort of understand the first punch after being provoked but to hit someone again when they are already out cold is hard to understand."

The idea that no publicity is bad publicity is clearly wrong.