Nuuausala charged for part in derby scrap

Frank-Paul Nuuausala of Wigan Warriors is tackled by St Helens' Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook

The hulking forward, nicknamed ‘the wrecking ball’ received a Grade A charge of punching (which carries a one-match ban) for his part in the 75th-minute set-to which resulted in the pair being sent to the sin bin.

Nuuausala was also cautioned for pulling McCarthy-Scarsbrook’s hair. The charge for punching could see him banned for one game when he faces the disciplinary panel tomorrow evening, giving him an anxious wait over his availability for Friday’s Challenge Cup semi-final against Hull FC.

“It was just one of those things,” Nuuausala told Wigan Today.

“It got the best of me but I’m not that type of person, but I guess that’s footy for you.

“Hopefully I’ll get more game time this weekend if I get to play. We’re just thinking about Hull now and our performance is up to our Wigan standards.”

After reports of St Helens’ interest in Nuuausala before he joined Wigan, his first taste of a derby, which was also his Warriors home debut, was highly-anticipated.

And the New Zealand international admitted it was nothing like he’d experienced before.

“It was unbelievable,” he said.

“Playing in front of a large crowd - I’ve played in a few big games but the atmosphere was different from what I’m used to back home.

“It’s so loud, you can’t describe it until you’re out there really.

“The passion between both clubs - the fans are crazy, especially our fans - and it’s something I’ve never experienced in my playing career.”

The fiery derby saw Matty fleming and McCarthy-Scarsbrook of Saints and Wigan’s Willie Isa, Dan Sarginson and Lee Mossop receive cautions.

Nuuausala, who will be joined in England by his family this coming weekend, is also looking forward to getting stuck into Super 8s action, and says he will be at peak fitness for Wigan’s assault on a play-off spot.

“It will take me another two more weeks, I’m taking it step by step and Coach is easing me in,” he said.

“I’m still getting there.”

Injuries and suspensions meant Wane was missing seven first-choice players and this week he is only expecting Taulima Tautai back following a one-match suspension.

And Dom Crosby could miss out this week after leaving the field with an arm injury.