Wigan prop Ben Flower has apologised for his disgusting attack on St Helens rival Lance Hohaia during Saturday’s Super League Grand Final.
Flower became the first player to be either sin-binned or sent off in a Super League title decider when he was shown a red card — after only two minutes — for an act of violence that shocked the 70,000-strong crowd at Old Trafford and millions more watching on television.
The 26-year-old Wales international sent Hohaia to the floor with a right hook and then landed another punch to the face as his opponent lay motionless on the ground.
Yesterday he felt moved to apologise for his actions, insisting there was “no defence” for the way he had behaved.
He said in a statement released by Wigan: “I am so sorry for what happened on Saturday 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 am devastated that I allowed myself to punch someone like this.”
Hohaia says he does not bear a grudge against Flower over the incident, but the Wigan man was full of remorse as his statement continued: “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 ok.
“I’d also like to say sorry to my teammates, 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.
“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.”
Wigan chairman and owner Ian Lenagan and head coach Shaun Wane issued their own joint statement which read: “We apologise unreservedly on behalf of the Wigan club to Lance Hohaia, St Helens and the general rugby league family for Ben Flower’s totally inappropriate behaviour in Saturday night’s Grand Final.
“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.”