‘Pressure from somewhere’: Des Hasler blows up in rant over ‘uncalled for’ crackdown

Des Hasler has teed off on the NRL’s latest crackdown aft stating he fears for fans paying good money to see star players sit in the sin bin.

Titans coach Des Hasler has teed off on the NRL’s recently implemented high shot crackdown, stating he fears for fans paying good money to see star players sit in the sin bin.

In his post-game press conference, Hasler did not take any questions from journalists, instead taking the time to speak his mind about the game’s crackdown.

While he conceded the current push to sin bin high shots without mitigating factors isn’t as bad as the crackdown implemented at 2021’s Magic Round, when 14 players were sent to the bin, Hasler believes the game’s decision “interferes with the integrity of what the game’s about.”

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Hasler labelled the crackdown “uncalled for”, believing that it “spoils part of the game” particularly for the spectators who “pay good money to come and see a game of footy.”

“I don’t think they’re getting a fair deal,” he said.

The Titans’ skipper, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui was sin binned in the game’s opening minute for a high shot on Felise Kaufusi. The incident was not pulled up by the on-field referee, but was called back by the Bunker during the next set, resulting in Fa’asuamaleaui spending the next 10 minutes in the sin bin.

Des Hasler speaks at his post-game press conference.

Hasler did not believe the sin bin had an impact on his side’s loss but urged the NRL to reassess their position ahead next week, especially with State of Origin right around the corner.

“I’m not going to use it as an excuse but it’s just uncalled for. It’s not the first time. It’s a forceful game, sometimes those things happen,” he said.

“I don’t think the ones I’ve seen have been too malicious. I don’t get it. Obviously the pressure is coming from somewhere.

“I think it’s an area that they’ve got to look at.

“(In Origin) there’s going to be lots of people in the sin bin.”

Tino Fa’asuamaleaui was sin binned for this shot against the Dolphins.

Hasler also took issue with a late penalty conceded by Beau Fermor, who raced from one side of the field to the other to deny Dolphins halfback Isaiya Katoa a try in the game’s dying stages.

“That is a great play. That is a great rugby league play, to come from the other side of the field, to come across there and come up with a try saving tackle and then get up and the referees say ‘oh you hit the head,’” he said.

“Where’s the intent?”

While some argue players need to adjust their tackling technique and “lower their target” Hasler disagrees.

“It’s not as simple as that,” he insists.

However, he stressed he was not taking a dig at the referees and does not expect any punishment for his comments.

“I haven’t been critical of anyone, I haven’t been critical of the referees, so I don’t expect a $25,000 fine either,” he said.

Benji fumes at sin bin crackdown

Benji Marshall was visibly lost and frustrated with the NRL’s sin bin crackdown, but conceded his side need to be better after their 46-24 loss to the Broncos in Round 5.

Benji Marshall and Api Koroisau.

Broncos forward Brendan Piakura and Tigers centre Starford To’a were both sin-binned in the game taking the total to six sin bins over Round 5 to date and Marshall was as lost as some fans and other coaches in summing it up.

“Honestly, I don’t know,” Marshall said.“That’s probably the best answer I can give and also we’re on the end of a loss, so probably ask the winning coach. I don’t want to sound like a whinger.”

Tigers skipper Api Koroisau was asked his opinion before Marshall stepped in.“He doesn’t know, he’s got nothing to say,” Marshall interjected.

Marshall preferred to stick with the positives and was proud of his team for scoring three tries to two in the first half before letting the lead slip at half-time.

Originally published as ‘Pressure from somewhere’: Des Hasler blows up in rant over ‘uncalled for’ crackdown