I’m in favour of the clampdown on head high contact. With the legal action being taken by past players the game has no choice. Insurance is obviously a problem though the NRL must have insurance so why not approach that company?
I’d go as far as to say that 90 - 99% of high tackles are accidental. Some are simply an accident, others due to circumstances or down to poor technique. I’ve no issue with players being sent from the field, it puts the onus on them to get their technique right. If they do and it still happens then it’s a penalty and no more. Ellis against Cas is a prime example of that. His tackle position was good, he was wrapping the arms and the Cas player slipped into him so the attackers height changed fractionally before contact. Conversely Watts, although not intended, his body shape was tall and arm wrapping so although Dupree was low he did not change height therefore red card & 4 matches.
The game simply HAS to apply some common sense. I get why the red card was given against brown, by the letter of the law direct forceful contact with no obvious mitigating factors.
I’d argue that Currie swung round and went into Brown as much as Brown went into Currie. There was literally nothing either player could do about it. It wasn’t a head butt. There was no swinging arms, no recklessly throwing arms and legs in random directions. Just a simple accidental clash of heads.
I quite like an idea muted by Wilkin last night. If they’re not sure about whether it’s yellow or red sin bin the player and give the VR 10 mins to review then upgrade to a red if appropriate. Perhaps introduce an orange card for this.
All that said I’m not going to throw my toys out of the pram and suddenly stop watching a sport I’ve loved for 45 years because the RFL have not quite got the interpretation right for a new law introduced for the best intentions.
