Th'Observer wrote:
I personally wouldn't have included it but there we are.
Am I right in thinking Hohaia had concussion issues prior to that Grand Final? I think the punches may have exacerbated those issues but then he played on after for half a season? In some cases that half season was under sufferance too being "forced" to play and being encouraged to take pain meds to get through.
Saints themselves weren't exactly squeaky clean when it comes to the aftermath of the incident.
Despite all that, I reiterate the fact that I personally wouldn't have included it. It gets replayed a lot. RL/Wigan/That final got a ton of coverage because of it but yeah it shouldn't have been included for me.
Yes he already had concussion issues. He didn't even retire. He played on and then used the incident as an excuse for retiring. He was still as cr@p after the incident as he was before it but it was an easy out to blame that. I suppose Goulding et al who are trying to sue the RFL are all Wigan's fault in some sort of guise too. I do love this self indulgent, houlier than thou attitude other sides have when it comes to Wigan. Just makes it all the sweeter.
I am the same as you, i re-iterate that i wouldn't have had it in too, but, hey ho, it is. There are real issues in the world at the minute. People are dying because of war in the Ukraine. People are dying of famine in Africa and Asia, the country is being driven into poverty and someone has drawn a cartoon in Wigan.