With debate rising around the longevity of long kick-offs in rugby league, Andrew Voss and Matt Russell have called on coaches to ensure players are safe in the collisions.
Following a recent number of players being concussed from kick-offs, including Moses Suli in Thursday’s annual ANZAC Day clash between the Dragons and Roosters, discussions have arisen as to whether the kick-off should be altered to better protect players.
Voss and Russell believe that, instead of altering the kick-off, coaches should develop techniques for players on how to safely enter a tackle from a kick-off.
“I think the coaches do have a say in this,” Voss said on SEN1170 Breakfast.
“They should say, ‘No boys, you’ve got to sort it amongst yourselves, it’s you sprinting down there, it’s your job with the first carry, we’re not sending three in’. Three in means you have no control over the tackle.
“The middle defender has no target… no control of his arms, he’s just wedged in there… he’s a sitting duck and Moses Suli is knocked out yesterday.”
Russell shared Voss’s love for the place of the kick-off in the modern game.
“I would hate to see that (banning kick-offs) happen," Russell remarked.
“What about the theatre yesterday with Jared Waerea-Hargreaves returning those kick-offs, the old bull fearless on ANZAC Day, inspired by a game that he holds so dear to his heart. It was one of the fantastic elements of the game.”
Ultimately, both conceded it would be up to the decision of doctors as to whether the kick-off survived in our game.
“The medicos will have the say on it,” Russell said.
“They’ll say, ‘No, we need to make a change here given concussions, given the way the game is going’. We won’t get a say.
“It’ll be, unfortunately or fortunately, whatever stance you want to take, the doctors that have the say on whether we have the long kick-offs in the game going forward.”
Having been diagnosed with a category 1 concussion, Suli will enter the 11-day stand down protocol before he can make a return, likely against the Rabbitohs in Round 10.