Castleford back Mahe Fonua was sensationally sin-binned during Thursday nightโ€™s Super League fixture against Wigan Warriors at DW Stadium.

The 29-year-old Melburnian was bewilderingly given his marching orders in circumstances after he was adjudicated to have laid a late tackle on Jai Field.

The Tongan international was sent to the sidelines just prior to half-time after referee Chris Kendall failed to hesitate in his adjudication.

Having exited the contest with Castleford trailing the Warriors by a 10-6 margin, by the time Fonua has re-entered the battle, the Tigers were, well and truly, without a sniff with Wiganโ€™s buffer extended to 22-points.

Speaking after the Yorkshire-based clubโ€™s 32-22 loss, Castleford head coach Lee Radford addressed the perplexing ruling.

โ€œWhen Mahe Fonua was off the field, we conceded 12-points and then we conceded shortly after too,โ€ Radford said as the dust settled on the defeat.

โ€œIt ruined our interchange a little bit, weโ€™re not catching a break at the moment, but Iโ€™m not whinging, weโ€™re working hard and Iโ€™m proud of them.

โ€œIt is what is and weโ€™re genuinely going to have to have to get better with 12.โ€

Radfordโ€™s opposite number, Matt Peet, weighed in on the contentious decision, going so far as to suggest that, in his mind, Kendall had made the incorrect call.

โ€œNot in my opinion (Fonuaโ€™s yellow card) โ€“ that one I find really difficult to take,โ€ Peet voiced.

โ€œFor me, people need to put it in context about the speed the game is played at โ€“ when there is no malice, the player deserves to stay on the field.โ€

Fonua is next fixtured to lace the boots when the Tigers host Toulouse at The Mend-A-Hose Jungle on April Foolโ€™s Day.