Play-acting must be stamped out, insists Ian Watson
Photo: Alex Whitehead/SWpix
Huddersfield coach Ian Watson says play-acting must be stamped out of the game after being left angered to see Chris Hill sin-binned in their dramatic defeat at Leeds.
It was a a thrilling derby under the lights at Headingley on Wednesday night, with the Rhinos snatching an 18-14 win late on thanks to a try from Blake Austin.
But the game has been overshadowed by the incident that saw Huddersfield prop Hill sin-binned three minutes before the end for what the referee deemed as a dangerous tackle on Leeds full-back Richie Myler.
Speaking after the game, Watson says he was baffled by the yellow card handed to Greenwood at the death; and criticised the actions of Myler that led to the sin-binning of Hill.
“I don’t think he deserved a yellow card,” Watson said. “He didn’t do anything wrong. There are too many players looking to try and get a penalty.
“I will have a good look at it but Chris Hill lets go of him as soon as he jumps in the air.”
Ian Watson: We’re in a great place
Huddersfield still need a point from their last two matches of the regular season to clinch a top-four finish.
Watson says he is happy with their position in the table, but admits his side need to be better if they are to achieve something special this season.
“We’re sat in a great place,” Watson said. “We’ve had a great season so far and in that game we showed a lot of ability and patience. Our execution needs to be better, that needs to improve going into the play-offs.
“I thought for large periods we were the dominant side, we just needed to execute better. Probably our execution fell away in the last 10 minute when Theo (Fages) went off. I think if we had Theo on, we would have won the game.”
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