Wigan have lost former Canterbury prop Luke Thompson for the World Club Challenge and become involved in further intrigue with claims a video referee wanted halfback Harry Smith sent off in their final match before taking on Penrith.
Thompson, who returns to the British game this year after four seasons at Belmore, came off with concussion in a 32-4 win over Castleford and failed his HIA, meaning a mandatory stand-down from next weekend's world title bout at DW Stadium.
“I thought the way he started the game, Luke, and the way he’d been in pre-season, he was looking excellent,” said Wigan coach Matty Peet.
“It’s a blow but his health has to come first.
“He’s taken a whack on the head and I think the sport and other sports are getting used to these sorts of things and it’s the right thing for the players.”
Luke Thompson just destroying defenders
Smith was sent to the sin bin in the 23rd minute but Castleford coach Craig Lingard threw the cat amongst the pigeons when he claimed at the post-match press conference that video referee Jack Smith had recommended to referee Tom Grant the goalkicking No.7 - a key figure next weekend - be sent off.
“What’s the difference between the contact on the Wigan player and Harry Smith picking someone up and dumping him on his head?” said Lingard, after his own prop Liam Watts was sent off for a high shot.
“I don’t want Harry Smith to get sent off but it has a massive impact on the game.
“I’m led to believe from the sideline that the recommendation from the sideline was that Harry Smith was a red card.
“And on the recommendation of someone else - the on-field official - it got reduced to a yellow card. Why?”
Smith is not out of the woods yet; Wigan could be further depleted if the judiciary choses to take further action against him and lock Kaide Ellis regarding tackles on a rainy and slippery Yorkshire night.
“I was asked about Harry then - to be completely honest when you’re caught up in the game … I haven’t looked at it a great deal,” said Peet. “What will be, will be.”
The Panthers - settling into their Manchester City training facility over the weekend - will host a media event at their hotel on Monday, while Wigan’s Robin Park is the venue for the official pre-match media conference on Tuesday night.
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