Rugby League: Spear tacklers targeted by NRL

Concerned players have called on the National Rugby League (NRL) to eradicate potentially lethal spear tackles from the game this year.

The spear tackle offensive is one of a series of initiatives governing the rules of the game announced by the NRL.

Other key components include banning the controversial grapple tackle, along with the standing flop and most importantly expanding the powers of the video referee to allow them to go back up to six tackles in a set to examine foul play.

Lengthy consultation with club management, coaches and players culminated in across-the-board agreement on pressing questions over rules during the annual conference last November with final confirmation from the NRL.

Before the November conference there was a feeling from some quarters that the spear tackle or dangerous tackle rules were too harsh.

However, players at the conference quickly scotched that theory and asked for the penalties to be beefed up.

NRL referees boss Robert Finch said the players rejected the idea of leniency for tacklers who had lifted an opponent past the horizontal but landed them on their chest or stomach.

"The players were not happy with that proposal and indicated they wanted the tackle out of the game," Finch said.

New match review chairman Greg McCallum and NRL chief operating officer Graham Annesley said the league had backed that stance.

"Dangerous throws have no place in the game and will be strictly policed," McCallum said.

Gang-tackles holding an opponent up while waiting for another tackler to run in and knock the ball-carrier to the ground will risk being penalised this year.

Finch calls that delaying practice the "standing flop" or "dancing tackle" and says it is just a standing version of holding tackled players down.

Lifting and propelling the ball-carrier backwards in dominant gang-tackles will be allowable providing defenders stop the movement when called on by referees.

Last year's "grapple tackle" where Melbourne Storm players were penalised for pinning the heads of opponents after initial contact by teammates will again be outlawed.

Last season the practice drew penalties, but this year charges for making undue contact with the head are likely to follow.

Attacking players indulging in foul play during scoring movements in any set of six tackles will be liable to review by video referees who will have the power to disallow tries.

Video referees were originally empowered to adjudicate only on the previous tackle.

- NZPA