League: Match ban for Hohaia, Flower may face charges

Lance Hohaia has accepted a one-match ban for his forearm strike which sparked the punches from Ben Flower during a brutal opening to Saturday's Super League grand final between St Helens and Wigan.

The 31-year-old New Zealand playmaker, who caught Flower off the ball, was knocked to the ground by the Wigan prop's first punch and then lay motionless as Flower landed a second on his face.

Flower will face a Rugby Football League disciplinary tribunal today charged with a grade F offence, which carries a minimum eight-match ban.

Hohaia was charged with a grade B offence of striking which normally carries a suspension of one or two matches.

Because of his previous record, the St Helens half-back was entitled to submit an early guilty plea to receive the smallest sanction and avoid a hearing.

"Lance Hohaia has accepted the EGP and will miss the first warm-up game of next season," a St Helens spokesman said.

St Helens will decide whether to pursue their own action against Flower after consulting police over his attack on Hohaia in the Super League grand final.

"An officer is due to speak to officials at St Helens and will also be in consultation with the RFL and if appropriate the CPS in order to decide what, if any, action will be taken," said a spokesman.

"It is not expected that a final decision will be made today in relation to whether or not there will be any further police involvement."

Flower's attack on Hohaia in the second minute completely overshadowed Saints' 14-6 victory over the defending champions at Old Trafford.

His actions prompted the Warriors to issue a press release in which Flower, coach Shaun Wane and chairman Ian Lenagan all apologised for the incident which led to the Wales international making history by becoming the first player to be sent off in a Super League grand final.

His charge carries a minimum eight-game match ban although the RFL could opt to give the 26-year-old an even longer suspension.

Hohaia appeared to bear no grudges towards Flower, saying "people do some things they regret".

Saints chief executive Mike Rush is keen for normal disciplinary procedure to take place.

- Independent