Justin Poore discipline from prop leads to warning

Justin Poore has been sent off twice in his first 12 matches (Getty Images)

Wakefield prop Justin Poore has been warned by his coach to curb his temper. The 28-year-old former Parramatta forward has been sent off twice in his first 12 matches for his new club and will sit out Sunday’s Super League game against Warrington because of suspension.

Poore was dismissed just 20 minutes into his first appearance on English soil after clashing with the Leeds prop Ryan Bailey in the Wildcats’ Boxing Day friendly and was also sent off in last Sunday’s league game at Wigan for punching second rower Liam Farrell.

In both cases he was treated leniently after the Rugby Football League’s disciplinary committee took into account both his previous good record and the fact that he had been provoked each time. But the Wakefield coach, Richard Agar, fears his player could become an easy target unless he learns to turn the other cheek.

“He’s not got a huge history of violent play despite 10 years playing senior rugby but he’s had two since he’s been here,” Agar said.

“In both instances he wasn’t the aggressor but he reacted. He has got to change his ways. He’s got to keep his emotions in check far better because, if he doesn’t, every week he’s going to find people are going to make him a target and start trying to wind him up.

“And the next time he’s up in front of the judiciary, I guess it won’t be one game, it will be a decent stretch.

“But he’s fully aware of that. He’s a smart enough player. He says it is out of character and his previous record suggest that is the case.

“He certainly overreacted. You can’t go throwing haymakers at people’s chins.”