Wigan’s Flower charged for Grand Final attack

Ben Flower punches Lance Hohaia and is subsequently the first man to be sent off in a Super League Grand Final

Flower could receive a suspension of more than eight matches after he was sent off for twice striking Hohaia, including once while the Saints man was on the floor, with the Rugby Football League’s match review panel taking a dim view of the incident.

He has been charged with a Grade F offence - the most serious on the RFL’s sliding scale - and is accused of “violent and aggressive punching on an off-guard opponent”.

Hohaia has been charged with a lesser Grade B offence for starting the flare-up by putting a forearm into the face of Flower.

“Ben Flower of Wigan Warriors has been charged with the Grade F offence of violent and aggressive punching/punching an off-guard opponent (Lance Hohaia) in the second minute of the match,” said a statement on the RFL website.

“Hohaia has been charged with the Grade B offence of striking Flower with the forearm in the second minute.”