Thugs will '¨be kicked out of the game '“ Koukash

A flare was thrown from the away end at the John Smith’s Stadium and some fans entered the field of play and, amidst the trouble, some Salford players entered the stand out of concern for their watching families.

Within seconds of the whistle being blown on Salford’s 26-24 win, photographs emerged on social media of Justin Carney and Junior S’au becoming embroiled in ugly scenes with sections of the Salford fans, with one particular picture showing New Zealander S’au appearing to restrain a fan on the ground.

It is understood that Carney and S’au were concerned for their families and went into the stand to check on them, leading to further scenes of confrontation.

Huddersfield have said the incident was caused by the lighting and subsequent throwing of a flare by two unidentified supporters, with the club ready to assist the Rugby Football League with an investigation.

Koukash has promised the strongest possible action against anyone found to have caused trouble.

He said: “We have asked for the CCTV from Huddersfield. The minority who caused the trouble, who I called thugs, will not be associated with our club or the sport. We will make sure they never attend a rugby league game again.”

Koukash added that the daughter of a member of the club’s coaching staff had to be checked in hospital after the fracas, and defended the actions of Carney and S’au.

He added: “You go towards your fans at the end of the game to acknowledge their support and when you see your family are there and need your help, regardless of whether you’re a policeman or a player, the human instinct is to jump in and help them out.

“That’s the only reason the two players, Junior and Justin, jumped in, to help their kids and their wives. One of the kids ended up going to hospital, the daughter of our strength and conditioning coach. It’s not ideal for them to jump in but what else do you expect?”

While Salford are to investigate the matter, the Rugby Football League is to also look into it.

RFL chief executive Nigel Wood said: “We will conduct a full investigation into the events that took place in the away section of the crowd at the game between Huddersfield and Salford.

“We do not condone violence of any kind and will ensure that anyone found to have acted improperly is dealt with accordingly.”

West Yorkshire Police offered no comment.

On the field, it was a day to savour for Salford coach Ian Watson.

The lead changed hands six times with two tries in the final 12 minutes finally deciding the issue and helping consolidate Salford’s position in the top eight while condemning bottom club Huddersfield to a seventh defeat in eight games.

Watson said: “It was a great response to a defeat on Friday and we spoke in depth about what we needed to do after that game.

“We pride ourselves on our defence and the mentality of the guys to stick in there toady when it got tough and come through the other side.”

The Giants, who also lost at Wakefield three days beforehand, remain rooted to the foot of the table but coach Paul Anderson refused to be too downhearted after a game where they savoured the majority of the possession, especially in the first half.

“We were way better than we were Friday but our defence is costing us,” said Anderson.

“We have to stop missing one-on-one tackles and cut the individual errors out. The offence is not quite firing but we still scored 24 points which is enough to win games.

“I feel under pressure because I put it on myself and I’m not comfortable losing games – it’s not something I’m used to.”

Leeds Rhinos also continue to struggle and captain Rob Burrow says they have gone from their highest point to an all-time low.

Just eight league games after winning the Grand Final and completing an historic treble, Rhinos are in turmoil following a double derby disaster.

Easter defeats at Castleford Tigers and at home to Wakefield have left Rhinos with only four points out of a possible 16 and they are third from bottom.

Burrow, who has been standing in as captain during Danny McGuire’s injury absence, said: “Throughout your career you have highs and lows – none better than last year and probably none lower than this now.

“It is tough times. I’ve given a lot of interviews this year when I’ve said ‘we need to win next week’ and we’ve not.

“We got a good win against Saints and then we lost our next two. It is part of being a sportsman, it is a roller-coaster ride.

“All you can do – like in any walk of life – is keep going with it. You can’t give in, you’ve just got to deal with it and keep doing the things that’s got you through all your life.”