NRL 2021: Brad Fittler throws support behind game’s high-tackle crackdown on eve of Origin series

Blues coach Brad Fittler says he is fed up seeing the game’s stars knocked rotten by illegal tackles and has opened up on how he sees the NRL’s high tackle crackdown heading into this year’s Origin series.

NSW Blues coach Brad Fittler speaking to the media at the Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour, after his team lost the Ampol State of Origin series last night. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Blues coach Brad Fittler has thrown his support behind the NRL’s high tackle crackdown in the countdown to this year’s State of Origin series, declaring that it won’t ruin the game’s greatest showpiece but “it will improve Origin”.

As some players, coaches, experts and fans remain in uproar after another weekend of controversy culminated in Victor Radley’s Origin selection hopes copping a stiff arm after the Sydney Roosters’ enforcer was sin-binned twice in Saturday night’s shock loss to Brisbane, the man with the most to lose when the NSW Origin team is named next weekend was absolutely resolute about where he stands on this issue that has divided the game.

Asked specifically if he feared if it would ruin Origin this year, Fittler was adamant: “No. Not at all. It will improve Origin.”

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NSW coach Brad Fittler says removing “thuggery out of the game over time” will help rugby league prosper at all levels.

And he was totally supportive of the crackdown.

“I don’t think it hurts at all,” Fittler said.

“I don’t sit there and crave someone to get hit in the head.

“I crave people to go hard at each other. I crave for the referee to hold his nerve in times of when there is angst, that’s important.

“But outside of that I have never craved for someone to smash someone in the head.”

Fittler believes it will take a lot of “thuggery out of the game over time” and help rugby league prosper at all levels, with male participation rates on an increase this year for the first time in six years.

“And I think it will be better for all the kids playing because you will need this level of discipline that if you haven’t got it in your normal life than you won’t be able to play,” Fittler continued.

Victor Radley’s State of Origin selection hopes have taken a hit after being sin-binned twice on Saturday night. Picture: NRL Photos

“I just feel the benefits of showing discipline on the field just help you everywhere.”

He also said he was fed up seeing stars like James Tedesco and Ryan Papenhuyzen knocked rotten by illegal tackles.

“I got sick of seeing Teddy and those blokes just getting creamed,” Fittler added.

“And there being excuses that ‘they lowered their height’ and ‘it is part of the game’ and ‘it slipped off the ball’.

“Like, seriously, the one on Papenhuyzen, far out. I am a supporter (of the crackdown).”

Asked if the crackdown took anything away from the intensity courage or bravery in the game, he continued: “It might take away from a little bit of the intensity because obviously intensity lifts when there is violence, that is just nature.

Fittler has given the latest rule changes the thumbs up. Picture: Jonathan Ng

“But having tackles below the chin takes away from nothing that the game provides.

“And over time the discipline that it will take to play at that level is going to make our athletes so better off and our game so better off.”

He said he understood the concerns of players but ultimately this would benefit everyone involved in rugby league.

“They (the players) are going through change and every time you go through change there is going to be stress and players are going to feel like they haven’t been listened to,” Fittler explained.

“But I think right at present this is the first year in six years where male participation (is up).

“Can you imagine, we are already on a positive incline and rules like this over time give parents confidence to allow their kids to play the game that is setting such a good standard.

“It is an absolute, pardon the pun, no-brainer.”

Originally published as NRL 2021: Brad Fittler throws support behind game’s high-tackle crackdown on eve of Origin series