I'VE TACKLED THE ISSUE

Leopards star won't change his spots over challenge

- DAVE CRAVEN

LEIGH captain John Asiata insists he is done with all the furore over his controversial tackle technique.

The star Aussie forward is sidelined after tearing a calf muscle in his side's recent loss at St Helens.

But he was back in the headlines following that match having been yellow carded after just 41 SECONDS for diving at the lower leg of Sione Mata'utia.

Last year, furious Saints boss Paul Wellens went on the attack after the RFL did nothing to punish Asiata for similar "reckless and dangerous" tackles in a heated Challenge Cup semi-final which left four of his players injured.

Back then, Asiata was acting within the rules but the governing body outlawed that type of challenge in the off-season.