Since the infamous crackdown on head-high contact launched on the eve of Magic Round 2021, the NRL's decision making has felt inconsistent.
Speaking to SEN 1170, the Sydney Morning Herald's Andrew Webster believes that even the NRL is confused on what to rule in certain instances, struggling to find consistency between what warrants a send-off and what doesn’t.
“I don’t think we’re in limbo, its more an inconsistency of decision-making,” Webster said.
“Has there been a crackdown? Has the impact been lowered at all? I don’t think we know the difference between a send-off and a sin-bin.
“I think the game does not know what it wants to be in terms of this issue.”
The handling of hits that result in contact to the head and concussion protocols has recently been in the spotlight again with Queensland legend Wally Lewis’ appearance on 60 Minutes to discuss his battle with Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).
“We say that we don’t that (Wally Lewis’s battle with CTE) happening to our future generations. But then we have send-offs like we had on the weekend and people come out and say the game’s gone soft,” Webster added.
“We had two send-offs over the weekend for shoulders to the head and then Jarome Luai does the same thing, and nothing happens.
“The whole thing seems like a bit of a mess.”
Webster believes that the change that commenced in 2021 has to now be consistently implemented game-to-game and the players will have to deal with the change.
“I understand it’s difficult for the players,” he said.
“Players have never been stronger, or quicker, or more agile.
“But we must give time for error and change.”
Webster stressed that if consistency isn’t brought forward to decision-making and players are continually at risk of head knocks that go inadequately unpunished, the NRL might experience what other sporting codes are already experiencing overseas.
“We haven't got the litigation issues yet but it's coming and if we don't get on the same page in terms of suspension then the game is going to be in trouble," he added.