The NRL is closely monitoring a number of incidents involving head injury assessments that have been initiated by clubs, rather than the independent doctor on site for that purpose, and have contacted at least three clubs to seek clarification.
Sources with knowledge of the situation not authorised to speak publicly confirmed to this masthead at least three HIAs from the first three rounds where players had been judged fit to return to the field were under investigation.
Under the NRL rules, only a club doctor or independent doctor, or a medically qualified trainer in certain circumstances, can remove a player from the field to undergo concussion protocols.
They have up to 15 minutes to undergo testing before either returning to the field or sitting out the rest of the game. Players who display category-one symptoms are immediately sidelined and forced to stand down from training and playing for the following 11 days.
Concerns were raised several years ago about clubs abusing the HIA testing protocol to give players a quick breather.
Several examples were identified where forwards came from the field for an HIA midway through a half when they were already due for a break.
The league reviews every HIA to deter clubs from attempting to flout the rules.
Nonplussed: Raiders coach Ricky Stuart.Credit: Getty Images
Meanwhile, the NRL said it had no issues with referee Grant Atkins’ handling of the Manly-Canberra game on Sunday, despite Raiders coach Ricky Stuart expressing frustration at the number of six-agains blown against his side.
Five set restarts went against the Raiders before half-time, and they had less than 25 per cent of possession in the first half.
The NRL wrote to clubs before the start of the season about the need to refrain from commenting on officiating and any contentious calls.
Stuart did his best to stay measured, saying he hoped NRL chief executive “Andrew Abdo has an answer for us all”.
“The six-agains that go against my poor buggers, I see those tackles every week by certain teams and nothing is done,” Stuart said. “You tell me [why], because I’m not allowed to.”
The NRL reviewed the game and was satisfied with the refereeing around six-agains, as well as a tackle by Haumole Olakau’atu on Morgan Smithies and the Sea Eagles appearing to tackle Kaeo Weekes while in the air before they scored.
Abdo was reviewing Stuart’s comments on Monday. It is not expected he will be fined.
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