Wigan boss Matt Peet reacts to Brad Singleton’s red card

Wigan head coach Matt Peet didn’t have too many complaints about Brad Singleton’s red card at St James’ Park Magic Weekend.

However, he fears that players staying down to win a penalty is creeping into the sport more and more.

Singleton, 29, was sent from the field on 65 minutes for a high shot on a falling Curtis Sironen.

Despite their disadvantage, Wigan did re-take the lead on 71 minutes through winger Bevan French.

However, Jonny Lomax secured bragging rights over rivals Wigan with a try on 78 minutes to secure the win in front of the opposition’s travelling supporters.

The score handed Peet only his fifth defeat in his debut year in charge of the Warriors, who didn’t have too many complaints about the decision which led to the loss.

Matt Peet: ‘I can understand why it was given’

“I can understand why it was given,” Peet said in his post-match press conference.

“Sometimes I think the difference between a yellow and a red card is open to interpretation. I think the dangerous thing about it now is that players are aware of it and physios are aware of it about deciding when to stay on the ground. It probably crept into some of our play as well which I don’t like.

“If that’s the way we’re going to police the game, then that’s the danger. But we’ve got to be better. Brad has gone to be better technique wise. And if we do go down to 12 men, we’ve got to handle that scenario better as well. Particularly when we got back in front.”

Kristian Woolf has say

St Helens head coach Kristian Woolf was also asked for his views on the decision. “I think it definitely deserved a card,” he added.

“I would need to have another good look at it to figure out if it was a red or yellow. It was obviously direct contact to the head.

“In terms of Curtis, he obviously recovered from his head knock and was able to come back onto the field. That indicates he’ll be fine for next week. It was a fair knock and he certainly took one there.

“In terms of the cards, it’s good to see that there’s a little bit of consistency there and obviously things were missed last week. It certainly looked from the sidelines they got some things right today.”

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