The ARL Commission has concerns over the recent crackdown on hip-drop tackles and will raise the issue at a board meeting on Wednesday.
The Herald can reveal the commission is set to ask NRL management for an explanation over a spate of sin-bins over the first eight rounds of the season that have left both clubs and players baffled by the decision of the officials.
Sources with knowledge of the situation talking under the condition of anonymity told the Herald the ARL Commission is concerned with the inconsistency around some of the charges and penalties, and wants clarity around the definition of a hip-drop tackle.
The crackdown was not a directive from the commission, with the game’s leaders seeking a road map out of the predicament it now finds itself in.
The NRL was criticised for its high-tackle crackdown at Magic Round two years ago, but that was a result of a directive from the ARL Commission to try and eradicate high-tackles from the game.
The latest series of sin-binnings in relation to the hip-drop tackle isn’t a response to a directive from the commission.
ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys.Credit: NRL Photos
There were a number of instances over the weekend, with Brisbane duo Payne Haas and Ezra Mam both receiving one-match suspensions for hip-drop tackles against Parramatta in Darwin on Friday night.
The Eels were furious with how J’maine Hopgood was sent to the bin while Haas wasn’t even penalised for the incident that has left Reagan Campbell-Gillard facing up to two months on the sideline with a groin injury.
Broncos captain Adam Reynolds said he was left confused by the decisions.
“The bunker looked at it during the game and deemed it wasn’t worthy of the sin bin,” Reynolds said of Haas’ tackle on Campbell-Gillard.
“Usually when the bunker clears it, you’re right. We thought nothing of it. It was raining and slippery out there; ‘Reg’ has done the splits and landed awkwardly.
“I couldn’t describe what a hip-drop tackle is, but I know one when I see one. And I didn’t think any of those tackles were worthy of [charges] last night.”
Penrith captain Isaah Yeo echoed Reynolds’ sentiment, claiming players weren’t clear on what constitutes a hip-drop tackle.
“There’s definitely confusion. You can differentiate the ones that are definite hip drops that are causing injuries and the ones that are 50/50,” Yeo said.
“It’s the ones where the little blokes are tackling the bigger players. What is [Mam] meant to do? Let go?
“It’s a hard one. There needs to be a little more common sense. Even if you feel like it’s a hip drop and it’s one of those 50/50 ones, don’t sin bin the bloke, put him on report and make a judgment call later on.
“You don’t want to cruel a game of football. The refs don’t even know sometimes. They are sort of getting word from the bunker instead.
“I feel like it’s definitely a tackle which happens when fatigue sets in or you are being desperate. The game has sped up, there’s more fatigue, so I can see how that is a point worth raising.”
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