League: Discipline worrying Warriors

Coach Tony Kemp today described the New Zealand Warriors' National Rugby League (NRL) disciplinary record as unacceptable, but said the club was working hard to address the issue.

Interchange hooker Tevita Latu, who had admitted making a careless high tackle, last night lost a bid to have the charge downgraded and has been banned for three weeks.

Latu's tackle on second rower Anthony Laffranchi in the Warriors' 6-24 loss to Wests Tigers last Saturday was classed as grade five, the highest on the NRL's judiciary's scale.

Teammate Monty Betham, the club's vice-captain, was also hit with a suspension arising from the match in Christchurch, getting six weeks for a dangerous throw.

The pair joined prop Ruben Wiki in being unavailable for the away fixture against bottom club Newcastle on Sunday.

Already this season, the Warriors have had four players banned for a total of 14 weeks.

Wiki is completing a four-match sentence this weekend, while substitute backrower Louis Anderson was out for one round earlier this month.

Kemp admitted discipline was an area of concern.

"It is a worrying factor for me that we have had four blokes up in front of the judiciary in five weeks," he said.

"To have Ruben and Monty - two of my senior players - sitting on the sidelines because of suspension is unacceptable.

"I've spoken to them and the team as far as making sure we go about rectifying these problems."

Statistics provided by League Information Services show the Warriors have had by far the most players charged since the start of last year.

The figure of 21 is 50 per cent more than nearest rivals Manly with 14.

As well, all 21 cases had resulted in players pleading guilty or being found guilty.

Kemp described rugby league as "a gladiator sport" and "a very aggressive game".

"Unfortunately for us we are overstepping the boundaries.

"It has been made well aware to the players that they can't keep doing that or we're are going to find ourselves without numbers."

Asked if fines might be an option in the future, he said that was a matter for the club's management.

But he added: "If I lose another couple of players, it could be an area we look at."

Nevertheless, Kemp said he was disappointed by the result of the Latu case, saying players trod a fine line on the field.

"I thought there was no malice in the tackle," he said.

"It's just unfortunate the player was on his way down to the ground and Tevita was trying to tackle him and turn the ball over. That's how you play the game.

"Unfortunately for Tevita, he copped the guy right on the chin and paid a price.

"We're not going tell him to open up the door and let the bloke run 50 metres down the pitch, but we just probably have to change our techniques a little."

Kemp revealed that NRL officials had raised the subject of discipline with the Warriors earlier this year.

"They've told us that we're probably look on as one of the most undisciplined sides in the competition.

"I just hope that isn't being held against us, because we are doing some hard work on it."

- NZPA