The NRL is looking into revising kick-off rules to prevent head injuries after a controversial incident involving Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, who is set to join Hull Kingston Rovers, sparked discussion.
During an April Anzac Day game for the Sydney Roosters, Waerea-Hargreaves was at the center of attention when Dragons centre Moses Suli was concussed while tackling him shortly after a kick-off. Suli’s head collided with Waerea-Hargreaves, forcing him to leave the match. Despite Roosters coach Trent Robinson predicting a potential rule change, he has expressed concerns about altering kick-off regulations.
Reports from Nine’s Wide World of Sports indicate that the proposed change would penalize teams whose kick-offs land beyond the opposition’s 20-metre line, resulting in a seven-tackle set for the receiving team. This idea stems from a rise in head injuries during kick-off returns and could shift how teams approach kick-offs, favoring shorter, strategic kicks or softer bounces.
The incident led to prompt discussions, with NRL’s head of elite football, Graham Annesley, remarking that while collisions are essential to the sport, changes can still be considered. “Never say never about anything, because the game evolves,” he said. “Player safety is a high priority for the Commission and the administration.”