Monday 13 October 2014 11:08, UK
Wigan Warriors' Ben Flower has issued a full apology for assaulting Lance Hohaia in the Super League Grand Final.
Flower was shown a straight red card for two brutal punches to the face of the St Helens playmaker early on in their 14-6 defeat to the Saints, which left Hohaia unconscious.
Flower’s own head coach, Shaun Wane, has refused to defend him, stating his player “made a huge error” that fully deserved dismissal.
And Flower said: “I am so sorry for what happened last night - there is no defence for my actions.
“It was something that happened in the heat of the moment when our emotions and adrenaline were running high. I instantly regretted it and I am devastated that I allowed myself to punch someone like that.
“At Wigan we are known for being aggressive but we are constantly told to do this within the rules of the game, and that punching isn't tough. We may aim to dominate teams, but we don't aim to hurt people.
“I firstly offer my apologies to Lance. I have full respect for him and have never gone onto a rugby field to injure a fellow player. I hope he is okay.
“I'd also like to say sorry to my team-mates, our fans and the Wigan club. I know I've let them down like never before and accept I'll have to live with this for the rest of my career.
“And finally, I'm sorry to the sport of rugby league. It was a big night and I know I've taken the attention away from what was a special event.”
Wales international Flower, 26, created history by becoming the first player to be sent off in a Super League Grand Final.
His dismissal left his team-mates forced to play 77 minutes with 12 men; they actually led 6-2 at the break in Manchester but were unable to hold onto their lead in the second half against a Saints side minus the services of the injured Hohaia.
It was something that happened in the heat of the moment when our emotions and adrenaline were running high. I instantly regretted it and I am devastated that I allowed myself to punch someone like that.
Wigan chairman Ian Lenagan and head coach Wane added: “We apologise unreservedly on behalf of the Wigan club to Lance, St Helens and the rugby league family for Ben Flower's totally inappropriate behaviour.
“Rugby League is a tough sport, which we are proud of, but such a response is neither encouraged nor condoned.
"Such behaviour is not representative of rugby league nor the Wigan club."
Lenagan revealed Flower was devastated with the actions which marred a wonderful spectacle and took some gloss of St Helens' epic victory.
“I have never seen a grown man of the stature of Ben Flower cry as much in my life,” Lenagan said when speaking to Sky Sports News HQ.
“That is how devastated he is, both at the illegality of the incident and more particularly the consequences for the Wigan club, and even the fact it detracts from St Helens’ victory.
“It is a great pity we are talking about the incident rather than what was a tremendous occasion with all of the best features of rugby league shown.
“Unfortunately bad news tends to take centre stage and we have to take that I’m afraid.”
Lenegan also revealed that Flower met up his Warriors teammates on Sunday evening to issue a full apology for leaving them a man down for 78 minutes of the Grand Final.
When asked if the Wigan players confronted Flower at half-time, he said: "Ben had by then left the stadium.
“His father took care of him. It is the norm at Manchester United that if somebody gets sent off then they leave as soon as possible and we were happy for that to occur.
“We made sure that, whilst not in any way condoning Ben’s actions, he met with his teammates later that evening and apologised to them as well for the consequences of his actions which were immense for 35,000 Wigan fans and rugby league generally.”
