Alibert under fire from Rush

Mike Rush criticised referee Thierry Alibert after play-off hopefuls St Helens lost 33-32 against Wakefield Wildcats on Sunday.

Paul Sykes snatched two precious points for Trinity with a last-gasp drop goal to extend the home side's winning run to four games off the back of victories in derbies against Huddersfield, Leeds and Castleford. Saints have now lost two consecutive games for the first time since March's four-game losing run and interim coach Rush was unhappy with the performance of French arbiter Alibert. It followed criticism by Wigan Warriors coach Shaun Wane of referee Steve Ganson's decision to allow what appeared to be a forward pass in his side's defeat by Grand Final rivals Warrington Wolves. "I've voiced my opinion on Thierry," Rush told BBC Radio Merseyside. "Every time we have him, we have a game like that." He added: "We want quick rucks and there was one incident in the first half where Lance Hohaia makes a break, he gives the ball to Jonny (Lomax) and Jonny's tackled before he catches the ball. "He then goes down and they're allowed to get 13 men behind the ball before we play it. You're having a laugh."