How Super League coaches have reacted to red card surge in round one

Super League coaches have had their say on a spate of red cards issued on the opening round of the new season, with two bosses querying how the clamp down on heads shots is being implemented by match officials.

Catalans Dragons’ debutant Dylan Napa was dismissed during his side’s defeat at St Helens on Thursday night for a high tackle on England centre Mark Percival.

On Saturday, James Bentley was sent off on his Leeds Rhinos bow for a similar challenge on Warrington Wolves playmaker Gareth Widdop.

In the final game of round one, Hull FC full-back Jake Connor saw red for a high shot on Wakefield Trinity half-back Lee Gaskell.

The sending-offs come in the wake of tougher measures brought in to eradicate high tackles and improve player welfare in relation to the prevention of head injuries.

McNamara spoke about Napa’s red card shortly after the game without having had the chance to watch it back in detail.

The former England coach said: “I thought he put himself about a lot, with his physical presence.

“He’s obviously been called for going too high at the end of the game, that’s what’s he’s been pinged by and he’s paid the price for that. He’ll learn a lot from it.

“I didn’t see it (the tackle) too closely. I’m not sure.

“Initially, I thought he hit the ball and it had gone up a little bit but I’ll have to look closely again.”

Richard Agar, meanwhile, admitted he had no problem with Bentley’s dismissal, saying: “I’ve no argument with Bentos (James Bentley), he's hit him in the head with a high shot and with the current directives we can expect that.”

The Leeds boss was unhappy, however, with the consistency of referee Chris Kendall during Saturday’s game.

He felt that Wolves second-rower Ben Currie was fortunate to escape