Wednesday 14 January 2015 17:15, UK
Rugby league pundit Brian Carney has told Sky Sports News HQ that a meeting between Ben Flower and Lance Hohaia should take place before Flower plays again.
Wigan prop Flower was handed a six-month ban for punching Hohaia of St Helens twice in the second minute of last year’s Grand Final at Old Trafford.
Carney agrees with the idea that Flower and Hohaia should meet soon in person to discuss the incident.
“I would imagine it’s something that should happen in the near future, certainly before Ben Flower comes back out onto the field,” said Carney.
If Ben Flower comes back onto the field not knowing why he did this, then there’s a liability that it might happen again.
“A meeting facilitated by the clubs between Ben Flower and Lance Hohaia would be a good idea before Ben comes back to play on a rugby league field.”
The dual-code international is pleased that Flower has been spending time figuring out why he reacted in the way he did.
“He certainly won’t have to change the way he plays rugby league, but he will have to avoid an incident like that happening again quite obviously," said Carney.
“He has been working hard with the welfare officer at Wigan and sports psychologist Mick Farrell to try and understand why this happened. That’s the most important thing.
"If Ben Flower comes back onto the field not knowing why he did this, then there’s a liability that it might happen again - there’s a good chance it might happen again.
“He’s working hard to find out what went on in his head to cause him to punch Lance Hohaia not just once but twice. Having done that, he will certainly come back a slightly different player, but I hope he plays the game the same way. He’s a fantastic player and a great addition to the club."
Redemption
The former Wigan player is confident that Flower will be able to win back the respect of the fans while also moving on with his life through good performances for his club.
Carney said: “Sport is wonderful in the sense that it offers you a chance at redemption. If that was the last act Ben Flower ever committed on a rugby league field and he was to retire immediately afterwards then he’d live with it for the rest of his life.
“He’ll come back on, put a jersey on again for Wigan and if he performs well and controls himself on the field then people won’t forget, but will soon forgive Ben Flower, I believe.
“He’s going to get some stick from fans - that’s the nature of sport. But he’s a big fellow, he will be able to handle that. If he conducts himself properly on the field and continues to play at the high level he is capable of, then the fans will be forgiving of this player’s actions.”
Carney was impressed with the way both clubs negotiated the aftermath of the incident.
He said: “It was difficult for Wigan quite obviously. They lost the Grand Final, they had that to contend with, then they had this incident – probably the most talked-about rugby league incident of the year. I believe they handled it well.
"I believe St Helens – who were mentioned in the extended Ben Flower interview that people can watch - were very professional in all of this. They offered support to not only their own player, but also to Ben Flower.
“They said that they don’t condone incidents like this, but they understand it can happen on the field. They’ve conducted themselves with class, as have Wigan.
“Between the two clubs, I think they’ve properly co-ordinated the rehabilitation of Ben Flower – and part of that should be the meeting between the two.”
Watch the extended Ben Flower exclusive On Demand
