Wigan coach expects Sam Powell to face ban for crusher tackle

Wigan coach Matt Peet says he expects hooker Sam Powell to face a suspension for his “crusher” tackle on St Helens youngster Jon Bennison.

Powell was sin-binned in Wigan’s 22-4 defeat to St Helens on Good Friday for a “crusher” tackle on young St Helens winger Bennison.

St Helens coach Kristian Woolf says Bennison recovered from the tackle but thought the tackle deserved a red card.

He said: “It was a bad tackle, the kind of tackle we need to get out of our game. I’m not sure why it wasn’t a red card.”

Peet said Powell was full of remorse for the challenge and expects him to receive a ban from the Rugby Football League’s match review panel.

When asked if he expects a ban, Peet replied: “I expect we will. I’ve seen it back and it’s not good.

“Sam is disappointed, his technique needs to be better. It was a poor tackle on a young player in Jon Bennison, I hope he’s okay. Sam’s disappointed, it’s not in his nature but it was a bad one.

“Put it down to fatigue and bad timing. You don’t like to see any player hurt and I hope Jon Bennison is okay.”

Powell will be free to play against Wakefield on Easter Monday.

Wigan might be without captain Tommy Leuluai though, who left the field in the second half with a knee injury.

Matt Peet: We need to be more consistent

Peet admitted his side have work to do if they are to reach the level St Helens are at.

He said: “I thought we started well but we didn’t take our opportunities. When St Helens created them, they took them, they were clinical.

“I thought we were in decent shape at half-time but they were much better in the second half and we struggled to hold them.

“We know where we are. We need to be more consistent and be more clinical. It was never going to be a quick fix to overtake such a quality team but we’ll keep working hard.”

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