Josh Morris, a notable figure in the NRL, has defended the tactic used by the Parramatta Eels during their Sunday match amid ongoing debates about escorts and disruptors in the early 2026 NRL season.
Earlier this season, the NRL modified various rules and reiterated that players are required to attempt to catch the ball with both hands, ensuring a 'genuine' effort.
In the Round 3 clash between the Eels and Dragons, footage revealed four Eels players positioned in front of a descending kick, their hands raised high.
However, none seemed to genuinely attempt to catch the ball, as a teammate was already in place to secure it.
A leaked email from the NRL informed clubs that the tactic of "building a wall" would not be condoned, similar to scenarios surrounding drop goal attempts and other instances during play.
This email also highlighted teams' responsibilities to refrain from obstructing their opponents. Nevertheless, Josh Morris, during a segment on 2GB Radio, urged the league to halt ongoing rule changes, asserting that having a player in a blocking position is an advantage for early placement.
"They are not doing anything wrong. They are heading towards the ball with their hands up like they are trying to catch it," Morris stated on air.
"If they get there early enough, that's allowed. That is one of the rules. If you position yourself early, you are entitled to take a stance; it's not escorting," he explained concerning the wall formation.
"They didn't do anything wrong, and the NRL have now come out and changed another rule. Let's stop changing rules," he concluded.