Wigan Warriors’ Ben Flower banned for 6 months

Ben Flower has been given a six-month ban for the punches that marred the Super League Grand Final.

The Rugby Football League’s disciplinary tribunal took just half-an-hour to come up with the punishment after Flower admitted the Grade F offence.

The RFL announced the verdict via its Twitter account: “Ben Flower of WiganWarriorsRL banned until April 14th, 2015, after being found guilty of Grade F violent and aggressive punching v Saints1890.”

Lance Hohaia (centre) of St Helens is helped off the field by medics after being punched by Ben Flower of Wigan Warriors, who was shown a red card during the First Utility Super League Grand Final at Old Trafford. Photograph: Michael Steele/Getty Images

Earlier, Lance Hohaia accepted a one-match ban for his forearm strike which sparked the punches from Flower.

The 31-year-old New Zealand stand-off, who caught Flower off the ball, was knocked to the ground by the Wigan prop’s first punch and then lay motionless as Flower landed a second on his face.