The World Club Challenge between the Penrith Panthers and the Wigan Warriors this weekend is expected to see a relaxation of the recently tightened English Super League regulations prohibiting head and neck contact.
Four players were dismissed from the Super League during a wild first weekend of play for making unsafe contact with rival players.
The Panthers have already spoken with a senior RFL referee, who has confirmed that international rules will be applied for the World Club Challenge, according to Love Rugby League.
The Panthers, who are hoping to take revenge on St Helens for their World Club Challenge loss from the previous year, will be relieved to hear this news as they were unsure of the exact officiating for the game this weekend.
Speaking to NFL.com over the weekend, Cleary compared the modifications made to Super League regulations in the first round of the season to those made during the NRL’s 2021 Magic Round, in which several players were sent off or sin-binned due to a crackdown on high contact.
Things in the NRL were again loosened after a few weeks following the crackdown, but they never returned to their pre-2021 state.
“We were just inquiring about a few [rules] today; there are still a few we need to clear up,” Cleary stated.
“It’s apparent that things will be changed. Once more, the difficulty stems from the fact that, in the end, the referee’s decision and method of officiating ultimately determine the outcome.
“Some things, especially in terms of time spent in the ruck, flopping in, and other such things, you’ll only know on the day.
“I saw that the Super League had a lot of send-offs over the weekend. The Magic Round crackdown in 2021 was almost exactly like us. Many people were being sin-binned and other things.
The boys will only hear our advice to “don’t hit anyone in the head!” Nobody should be losing their life. In any case, you shouldn’t be doing it. I believe things will work out.
The NRL also modified this regulation last year to reward a penalty for a team in their own 40-meter zone. Other changes include the elimination of two-point field goals and the return of six agains instead of penalties for ruck infringements anywhere on the field.
Head and neck contact has been a hot topic for contact spots worldwide, and the Super League has already said that from next season, all tackles will have to be done beneath the armpit.
However, there is no assurance that this will happen. According to Rugby League Live, even with this year’s crackdown, Super League players are considering taking strike action.
It is recognized that a number of players are considering their choices in light of the modifications to the game, which affected various games over the weekend and will also lead to an increase in suspensions during the season.
Along with the four player send-offs, nine more players received sin bins, nine more received suspensions, and three more will go before the tribunal.
GET MORE NEWS HERE
Leave a Reply