Jon Wilkin has dubbed Jackson Hastings as ‘selfish’ and torn into the St Helens man for his red card against Castleford Tigers, something that has subsequently seen him banned for three matches.
St Helens were cruising at 30-0 up in the 39th minute last week when Jackson Hastings and Tyler Dupree became embroiled in a scuffle, with the Saints man eventually throwing a punch that would split open Dupree’s eye.
No time was wasted in sending Hastings off and come Monday’s Match Review Panel, Hastings was handed a three-game ban, something that rules him out for the rest of the regular season.
Ahead of the first of those three games, Friday night’s clash against Leeds Rhinos, Sky Sports pundit Jon Wilkin gave his verdict on Hastings’ actions, deeming them ‘selfish’ as he, ironically, pulled no punches in his assessment.
“It’s a decision that in some ways left me flabbergasted,” Wilkin said of Hasting’s punching Dupree.
“In this moment, when you’re chasing a result, chasing points difference, that you would make such a selfish decision as to punch somebody, which you know is going to be punishable by games.”
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Ex-St Helens man Jon Wilkin tears into ‘selfish’ Jackson Hastings over crucial red card
Fellow former Saint Paul Sculthorpe admitted that ‘red mist’ came into the equation but he too condemned Hastings, stating: “I think there is red mist in there but you’ve got to accept that in today’s game, you will not get away with that.
“For all the troubles that Saints have had this year with that spine, to lose yet another significant part of that and your captain as well. You’ve got to lead by example and unfortunately, that doesn’t go in today’s games.”
Jon Wilkin refused to accept ‘red mist’ as a reason and doubled down, asserting: “I think it is selfish. How many punches have you seen thrown this year in Super League?
“How many times do you see somebody cock it and not throw it? How many times do we see teams scrag each other around but no punches are thrown? Players are acutely aware that if they throw a punch, they’re going to get banned.
“Jackson Hastings knew that. Jackson Hastings put his conflict with Tyler Dupree, whatever was said, above and beyond what his team needed, and that’s why it was a selfish play.
“We all do it at times but it is wild with three games left.”
When asked if he had played his final game in a Saints shirt, Wilkin added: “Of course if they don’t make the six, he’s toast, isn’t he?
“In terms of what happens next year, Kevin Walters [incoming head coach] is a big signing and he will have his own ideas on what recruitment looks like.
“He’ll be working hard in the background to backfill some positions that become available.”
