Monday Buzz: NRL inconsistency over foul play incidents a concern ahead of season kick-off

It’s the issue that infuriates rugby league fans the most – the NRL’s inconsistency in its adjudication of foul play, PHIL ROTHFIELD writes.

This column could have been about so many positive points from the weekend.

The Eels stamping their premiership credentials. A Wests Tigers victory. The Cowboys, supposed to be a wooden spoon contender, looking pretty decent.

Saints playing strong on the eve of the premiership and breaking a Charity Shield hoodoo. Ricky Stuart’s Raiders knocking off Manly after being down 16-nil.

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Some fine individual performances including a wonderful game from Jackson Hastings in his comeback to the NRL.

Jackson Hastings was impressive in his NRL return with the Tigers in their trial win over the Sydney Roosters at Central Coast Stadium. Picture: Ashley Feder/Getty Images

Mitch Moses on fire for the Eels. A youngster and an old stager having super games for St George-Illawarra – Tyrell Sloan and Ben Hunt. Or the women’s triple-header in Newcastle.

Instead, here we are tackling the issue that infuriates rugby league fans the most – the NRL’s inconsistency in its adjudication of foul play and other areas.

This starts last week with superstar Latrell Mitchell attacking the integrity of the match review committee over his suspension five months ago. He says they were influenced by the media.

No action from Andrew Abdo despite the fact he has heavily whacked coaches and players across the game for saying anything remotely detrimental about the judiciary system or referees.

We move onto the weekend trial games.

There are two absolutely shocking incidents in the Wests Tigers v Roosters game.

Wests Tigers prop James Tamou dangerously attacks Sam Walker’s legs while still in the air after a fifth-tackle kick.

This is a hardened old 113kg front-rower attacking an unprotected 82kg youngster. The potential consequences are horrific.

Roosters prop Lindsay Collins does a cannonball tackle on Hastings while he was being held up by two teammates. Totally unnecessary, could have put him out for the year.

So we go to get a medical opinion on these two incidents.

Brien Seeney is known as NRL Physio on social media and has a huge following.

He is a level-headed, uncontroversial medical professional. Never says anything outlandish.

“It’s pretty standard science,” he says. “Both tackles could have caused catastrophic injuries.

“The Sam Walker tackle could have led to a severe neck injury, concussion or a broken leg.

“There is also a huge risk to the kicker’s knees. He was very lucky he landed on his shoulder.

“Jackson Hastings was so lucky not to suffer an ACL, MCL or any type of serious knee injury. There was so much force to the back of his knees. Both were potentially traumatic and very dangerous incidents.”

Tigers co-captain James Tamou rattles into Roosters halfback Sam Walker.

Walker was lucky not to be seriously injured. Tamou was even luckier to only cop a one-week suspension.

So what does the NRL do about it? For starters not even a sin bin, which was reintroduced last year for foul play.

Tamou gets one week, Collins gets a fine.

This is outrageously soft.

Playmakers are entitled to safely steer their footy sides around the park without being subjected to this sort of foul play.

This is where it comes back to inconsistency.

Last year we had a crackdown on high shots and players were suspended for tackles that wouldn’t have knocked your old columnist over.

Now we’re going back in the opposite direction.

Can Ricky Stuart now bag a referee and get off like Mitchell?

Will the next player who does a cannonball tackle escape with a fine?

Will the next player who attacks the legs of a kicker in mid-air get one week?

Who knows. Even before the opening round it has become a lottery.

Originally published as Monday Buzz: NRL inconsistency over foul play incidents a concern ahead of season kick-off