LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
Ivan Cleary and Anthony Seibold have expressed serious concerns about the NRL's crackdown on high contact, calling recent decisions a "farce" that is "ruining the NRL." Their frustrations peaked during a series of incidents in games over the weekend.
In the first match, the Titans' Jaimin Joliffe and Brock Gray faced sin-binnings for soft offenses, setting a concerning precedent.
The situation escalated dramatically in the Manly versus Penrith game when Scott Sorensen was penalized for a high tackle on Nathan Brown, which didn't even lead to a head injury assessment (HIA).
The situation reached absurdity when Siua Taukeiaho was sin-binned for a tackle that occurred during a previous set, with bunker official Ashley Klein instructing referee Belinda Sharpe to halt the game and penalize Taukeiaho for what seemed like an innocuous incident.
Isaiah Papalii's shocked reaction illustrated the confusion and frustration surrounding the decision.
Commentators and fans alike have responded with disbelief.
Daily Telegraph columnist 'The Oracle' lamented, "I honestly don't think I've seen a softer sin bin in the history of rugby league.
How on God's green earth is that not play on? A sin bin? It's becoming an absolute farce and ruining the game."
The NRL had previously announced a crackdown on high contact in response to numerous incidents that went unchecked in earlier rounds.
CEO Andrew Abdo emphasized that players would be penalized for direct and forceful contact to the head.
This incident raises significant questions about the consistency and rationale behind the decisions being made under the current crackdown.