Sunday 12 October 2014 15:47, UK
St Helens’ Lance Hohaia does not hold a grudge against Wigan Warriors prop Ben Flower for the punches which forced him out of his side's 14-6 Grand Final win.
Flower became the first player in Grand Final history to be red-carded after he knocked Hohaia off his feet with a punch two minutes into the match and followed up with a second while the Saints player lay prone on the ground.
Hohaia was unfit to return to the game as a result of the ugly clash but, despite the disappointment, the New Zealander does not hold any ill will towards Flower.
"I'm feeling good," he said. "Obviously I'm disappointed that I didn't get to play a bigger part in the game
“But we got the result and the small part that I played is enough to get the ring. I'm pretty happy about that.
"I don't remember the incident. People have told me what happened; I guess I was hit around the head somewhere. Sometimes these things happen in the game.
"In the heat of the moment, people do some things they regret. I've done some silly things on the field myself so I don't hold any grudges against Ben.
"He's probably disappointed in himself for not being able to play a part in the game as well.
"I haven't seen him. I've been spending time with my team-mates and my family. That's more important to me at this point."
The 31-year-old admitted he was eager to return to the field but respected the decision by St Helens' medical staff to keep him on the sidelines.
"I've got to have a scan through the week and, if it shows something, it shows something, but at this point I don't feel too bad," he said.
"I wanted to go back on but the doctor wouldn't allow that to happen. My health comes before anything else. That's why he's there.
“My wife and kids were in the stand as well and I've got to think about them at the same time."
