Ben Flower has apologised for his brutal attack on Lance Hohaia in the Super League final.
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Ben Flower has apologised for his sickening attack on St Helens’ Lance Hohaia two minutes into English Super League final.
Flower punched Saints five-eighth Hohaia in the face, then struck him again whilst he lay dazed and helpless on the turf.
“I am so sorry for what happened last night,” Flower said in a Wigan statement.
“There is no defence for my actions. It was something that happened in the heat of the moment when our emotions and adrenaline was running high.
“I instantly regretted it and am devastated that I allowed myself to punch someone like this.”
“At Wigan we are known for being aggressive but we are constantly told to do this within the rules of the game and that punching isn’t tough. We may aim to dominate teams, but we don’t aim to hurt people.
“I firstly offer my apologies to Lance. I have full respect for him and have never gone onto a rugby field to injure a fellow player. I hope he is okay.”
Despite being reduced to 12 men for 78 minutes of the match, Flower’s Warriors led 6-2 at the break, before going down 14-6 in what was on otherwise superb encounter.
“I know I’ve let them down like never before and accept I’ll have to live with this for the rest of my career,” he said.
“Finally, I’m sorry to the sport of rugby league. It was a big night and I know I’ve taken the attention away from what was a special event.”
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