LeagueNews.co | Jason Patrick
The NRL has stirred up some controversy over their response to the Penrith Panthers' unconventional new tactic to protect star halfback Nathan Cleary.
Some critics are crying foul, but Head of football Graham Annesley is standing by the decision.
The Panthers have raised eyebrows with their crafty move to shield Cleary from pressure during kicks.
By utilizing hooker Mitch Kenny to run interference and create space for Cleary to execute his kicks smoothly, the Panthers have found a sneaky loophole in the NRL's crackdown on ruck interference.
Annesley was questioned about the tactic and brushed off concerns, attributing the maneuver to Kenny's natural follow-through after passing the ball.
Despite some raised eyebrows and calls for closer scrutiny, Annesley reaffirmed at his weekly briefing that the Panthers are playing within the rules.
However, according to NRL regulations, players without possession of the ball are not allowed to hinder opponents.
As pundit Paul Kent highlighted on NRL 360, the league may have inadvertently opened a Pandora's box by permitting the Panthers to proceed with this tactic.