Kyle Feldt found himself at the centre of a strange episode in St Helens’ clash with Leigh Leopards on Friday night, with the former North Queensland Cowboy accused of “simulation” after a theatrical tumble.
Midway through the first half, Feldt went to ground as he cut back inside in search of a try, despite appearing to receive little more than fingertip contact.
The stoppage brought club medics onto the field and halted play, much to the frustration of the home crowd.
‘Committed to the theatrics’
On commentary for Sky Sports, Jon Wells didn’t hold back: “He’s committed to the theatrics and he’s got to ride it out... if he’s got him, he’s got him with the very end of his fingers. It’s nothing.”
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His colleague Mark Wilson agreed, adding: “I know he wants his team to win, but come on.” The lead caller even raised whether rugby league should introduce punishments for simulation in the same way footballers are booked for diving.
The jeers from the stands only grew louder when Feldt was shown a green card, forcing him to leave the field for two minutes in what Wilson described as a “fairly humiliating” sanction.
Wells wrapped up the episode with a blunt assessment: “Go and give your head a wobble Kyle.”