Perhaps the worst act of thuggery seen in the modern game, Wigan prop Ben Flower's shocking one-two combination on St Helens five-eighth Lance Hohaia, saw him become the first player to be sent off in a Super League grand final.
In just the second minute of play, Flower first knocked Hohaia down as the former Warriors and Kiwis utility was making a kick-chase through the line. The ball was tapped back presenting Flower with a golden opportunity to score but he fumbled before Hohaia made contact with a raised forearm.
The big Welshman saw red and quickly replied with a right hook which knocked the diminutive Hohaia to the ground where he lay dazed before his attacker advanced over him to deliver a second punch straight to the face.
Flower was sent off immediately, following an all-in melee, and now faces a ban of eight games when he fronts a disciplinary panel on Tuesday, while Manchester police may yet press charges on the 26-year-old.
Hohaia was unable to take any further part in the match although the Saints went on to win 14-6.
2. Adrian Morley v Robbie Kearns - 2003, first Ashes test at JJB Stadium
Despite Flower's best attempt, the record for the fastest sending off in rugby league history belongs to fiery Great Britain prop Adrian Morley, after he floored his Kangaroos opposite, Robbie Kearns, with a high tackle in the first tackle of the opening test of the 2003 Ashes series
The test was just 12 seconds old when Kearns carted the ball up only to be knocked senseless by the wild swinging arm from the then Sydney Roosters enforcer.
Australia won the test 22-18 while Morley somehow managed to avoid suspension, with a three-man international judiciary panel deeming a 2000 pound fine to be sufficient penalty.
3. Barrie McDermott v Paul Sironen - 1994 Kangaroo Tour match at Central Park
Another Wigan prop with a penchant for violence, Barrie McDermott, made it his personal quest to target Kangaroos second-rower Paul Sironen when the Australians took on the British league champions at Central Park in their third tour match.
Shortly after halftime, with the Australian's leading 22-6, McDermott hit big "Sirro" late and high but escaped with a warning from the match referee David Campbell.
Three minutes later, McDermott struck the Balmain Tigers forward with a sickening elbow which left Sironen prone on the turf before he had to be assisted from the field.
The notoriously hot-headed McDermott fronted the judiciary more than a dozen times and was suspended for over 40 matches throughout his career.
4. Shaun Edwards v Bradley Clyde - 1994 first Ashes test at Wembley Stadium
Great Britain halfback Shaun Edwards became the first British captain to be sent off in a test after he felled Kangaroos lock Bradley Clyde with a careless high tackle during the first test of the 1994 Ashes series at Wembley Stadium.
With the scores locked at 0-0 after 25 minutes, Australia's Laurie Daley and Mal Meninga combined to put Canberra teammate Clyde into space.
The workhorse lock stepped inside Edwards, who was coming across in cover and threw out his right arm to hit Clyde right on the nose to send him crashing to the ground.
Referee Graham Annesley wasted no time in showing Edwards a red card and he was subsequently suspended for three games, including the second test, and fined 1000 pounds.
Despite being reduced to 12 men, Great Britain went on to upset the Kangaroos 8-4, with a stunning Jonathan Davies try the highlight.
5. Martin Dermott v Brad Fittler - World Cup final 1992 at Wembley Stadium
In a tense affair, with the scores locked at 2-2 midway through the first half, a blatant elbow from yet another Wigan forward, Great Britain hooker Martin Dermott, left Australian five-eighth Brad Fittler with a broken cheekbone.
Astonishingly, referee Dennis Hale allowed Dermott to remain on the park, but awarded the Australians a penalty which captain Mal Meninga duly kicked to give the Kangaroos the lead.
Fittler played on despite the injury, which saw his face balloon with swelling almost immediately, before a late Steve Renouf try sealed victory for the Kangaroos.
