In the wake of last week's test between the Kiwis and Kangaroos the lawmakers need to review the rules around attempted tackles on kickers.
Russell Packer's late, late hit on Darren Lockyer, where his elbow smashed into the side of Lockyer's face, may not have been totally intentional but wassickening to watch - especially on slow motion replay. Packer is not a dirty player but his action was a by-product of the rule interpretation. On the next set the Australians retaliated, with a late charge on Benji Marshall as he cleared on the fifth tackle; Marshall got up rubbing his jaw while the referee waved play on.
It continues a trend from the recent NRL finals series. It doesn't matter who you support, there is little joy in watching Shaun Johnson, Jamie Soward, Billy Slater, Lockyer or Johnathan Thurston getting smashed well after kicking the ball and often while they are off balance; especially when they are clearing from well inside their own half and are a sitting duck.
The laissez-faire approach also prevailed in this year's State of Origin, with both Lockyer and Queensland coach Mal Meninga lamenting the lack of protection for kickers. In theory, late shoulder charges on kickers are illegal in the NRL; in practice they are very rarely penalised, with action usually only forthcoming after a series of offences.
In days gone by there was a genuine intention to charge down the kick but that has gone the way of the moa. Steve Price was the last player who would regularly dive at the feet to block the kick but he was gradually discouraged by coaches as a successful chargedown was often not beneficial, as the team in possession would gain six more tackles in a favourable field position. The only chargedowns you see these days are on drop goal attempts, especially in the frantic golden point periods.
The NRL did try to address the problem in 2009, when they ordered referees to become stricter and basically allowed no late contact at all on kickers. It became controversial, as some players would "milk" penalties, falling to the ground with the lightest touch. The interpretation didn't continue and last year the status quo was back.
Something needs to change. The players doing the kicking are often the superstars of the game - think Johnson, Thurston, Lockyer, Soward - who attract people through the turnstiles and to television screens. If it sounds like advocating special treatment - well, maybe it is. These players have earned the right to some protection and the NRL needs to look after its stars.
Secondly, the chances of serious injury are becoming higher and higher. The kickers are often the smallest on the field anyway and at their most vulnerable moments after the ball is released, usually with one foot off the ground and off balance. Seconds later a 110kg behemoth, running from 15maway, slams in - an irresistible force meeting a very movable object - and the chances of knee, back, head and facial injuries could not be higher.
While there is no need for the radical approach of the NFL - who have essentially outlawed all contact on the kicker - change needs to come soon, as there is "nothing great about late, mate".
