NRL 2024: Sharks count cost of tough loss to the Wests Tigers
The NFL has banned the controversial hip-drop tackle, following a 65 per cent increase in the tackle that has left Cronulla’s forward pack decimated.
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The NFL has banned the controversial hip-drop tackle, following a 65 per cent increase in the tackle that continues to cause damage in the NRL.
The NFL metered out new measures against the dangerous tackle on Monday.
The violation will result in a 15-yard penalty if flagged in games, but Troy Vincent, the NFL’s executive vice president of football operations, said it is likely to be enforced similarly to the “use of helmet” rule, which typically leads to warning letters and fines in the week after a game rather than flags during play.
The hip-drop tackling ban proposal was authorized due to an increasing fear that players were copying the tackle that the NRL are also managing to try and stamp out.
The Washington Post reports that there were 230 hip-drop tackles across the NFL last season.
The NFL confirmed it was dealing with a tackling technique that was occurring nearly once per game and resulting in nearly one significant player injury per week.
The NFL’s ban, which will take effect next season, has emerged as Sharks officials fume over the prospect of losing a second player to a hip drop tackle that has failed to raise the ire of the NRL match review committee.
Cronulla prop Toby Rudolf is set for an extended period on the sideline after he suffered an ankle injury against the Wests Tigers on Saturday night.
Rudolf collapsed in the second-half of the Sharks loss to the Wests Tigers following a tackle from rival forward John Bateman.
Bateman wasn’t cited by the match review committee on Sunday morning.
The NRL told the Sharks the tackle wasn’t considered a traditional hip drop.
The Sharks are confused as to how they were also forced to endure a hip drop on fullback Will Kennedy in 2022 against the Rabbitohs, which also failed to receive a charge.
Adding to Cronulla’s angst is that backrower Briton Nikora was suspended for two matches following a late shot on Viliame Kikau last week, of which the Bulldogs forward suffered no ill-effects, yet Rudolf is facing surgery from a tackle that has been been dismissed by the match review committee.
The Sharks face the Raiders on Easter Sunday and could also be without Royce Hunt (calf).
RUDOLF: JUST AN ‘UNFORTUNATE’ MOMENT
“They’re saying it’s a possible syndesmosis, but we’ll just have to wait and see,” Rudolf said.
“I’ve booted it up as a precaution. It didn’t feel great, but we’ll see what happens.
“It happened on my last run of the game. I had my legs taken out by John Bateman, and it was one of those unfortunate tackles in footy and I pulled up a bit sore.
“I’ve never done this injury before so it’s hard to know what it’s meant to feel like, but all the signs aren’t too great with how it’s feeling.”
Nothing went right for the Sharks on Saturday night, with their two-match winning streak to start the season snapped by the hosts who were simply brilliant and thoroughly deserved the 32-6 result.
“It was one of those nights. We have to look back and inward on ourselves,” Rudolf said.
“There’s so much improvement in us still, and when we get things right, we think we can beat anyone.
“You have to give credit where it’s due because the Tigers were unreal. If they play like that every week then they’re going to trouble some teams because they were running so hard and playing for each other.”
There were plenty of positive signs for Benji Marshall who would have been chuffed to record his first win as coach, and he’ll chalk up plenty more if skipper Api Koroisau continues to lead from the front.
The dynamic hooker set up two tries and should’ve had one of his own, with Koroisau dominating the contest despite being in all sorts of discomfort during the post-game press conference.
“A lot of people don’t know, but this guy next to me was battling heavy gastro before the game and could hardly walk and had no energy,” Marshall said.
“For him to punch out what he did in the game shows how much it meant to his teammates.
“That’s why he’s the skipper.”
WILL COUNCIL COME KNOCKING IF LEICHHARDT KEEPS ROCKING?
The Inner West Council is reportedly keen to stop hosting NRL matches at Leichhardt Oval from 2026 onwards, but 15,990 rabid fans and a scintillating performance from the home side prove this venue still has its place in the game.
Written off after their poor showing in Canberra last week, Benji Marshall’s troops responded in the best way possible to hand the rookie coach his first official win in the NRL as the Wests Tigers stunned the previously unbeaten Sharks 32-6.
Fans may have been asked to pay $55 at the gate for a general admission ticket, but they didn’t seem to care with the famous hill overflowing and making more noise than some of the soulless major stadiums could ever dream of.
This was a performance the Tigers of 2005 would have been proud of, and nearly 20 years later, it’s one that should get the fans excited going forward with the Marshall plan executed to perfection.
Skipper Api Koroisau led from the front with a couple of try assists, young gun Lachie Galvin ran the ball well and new recruit Justin Olam was an occupational health and safety hazard for the defence who had no answers for the former Storm star.
NICHO’S NIGHT TO FORGET
Nicho Hynes may have started the round with a perfect 12 Dally M points, but there’s no way the Sharks halfback will add to that tally, even if the voting has made little sense this season.
Hynes had one of the worst nights of his career on Saturday, dropping it twice, missing six tackles and twice kicking out on the full in the first half, with Koroisau almost punishing him, only for the hooker to lose it over the line.
But there would be no second chance for Hynes who failed to jump on a loose ball, with Koroisau making amends a couple of plays later when he set up Olam just before the break.
HAIL SEZER
The Tigers have some talented young halves coming through the ranks, but Aidan Sezer proved just how valuable experience is as he totally outplayed Hynes.
Sezer was promoted to the starting side and kicked the Sharks to death with his left boot, with the veteran playmaker setting up two tries including a chip kick that Cronulla couldn’t handle as Jahream Bula touched down in the second half.
CALL OFF THE HUNT
We’ve seen some bizarre pre-match injuries in the warmup, but we might have found a new category after Sharks enforcer Royce Hunt tore his calf while getting ready on the bench.
It was a major loss for the visitors who really missed his aggression through the middle, with Hunt now set to miss a potential rematch against old sparring partner Corey Horsburgh next week.
The Sharks also lost veteran Dale Finucane to an HIA, while prop Toby Rudolf finished the night in a moon boot.
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