Red cards simply were not red cards

All being said, controversy surrounding high tackles has been refreshingly low during the opening rounds of the Super League season.

- By MATT SHAW

That changed on Friday night when two inexplicable red cards were dished out during Hull KR's victory over Leeds Rhinos.

Sauaso Sue and Ash Handley were both dismissed for high tackles that, quite simply, were never red card offences.

This year, communication from the match officials to players has been excellent. The processes are clear and we've got to a point where most people can identify what is penalty sufficient, a sin bin or a red card. That was until Friday night, of course.

The Sue dismissal is, put bluntly, diabolical. He cannot disappear the moment Sam Lisone slips in front of him.

If Lisone doesn’t lose his balance, he makes a perfectly good tackle. In no way is that a red card and if the match officials department insists it was right, then the rules are not fit for purpose.

The main issue with the Sue red card is Chris Kendall’s suggestion there was an aggravating factor that Sue went into the tackle with his arms by his side.