The debate surrounding high tackles from kick-offs in the NRL has taken a surprising turn, with Sydney Roosters coach Trent Robinson suggesting a drastic alternative to rule changes. In the wake of several opening-tackle concussions last season, the NRL has been grappling with how to address player safety concerns without fundamentally altering the fabric of the game.
Robinson’s Radical Proposal
Rather than tweaking kick-off rules, Robinson believes sending off players who commit high tackles from the opening play could be the solution. He argues that this stringent penalty would serve as a powerful deterrent, compelling players to quickly adapt their technique to avoid putting their team at a disadvantage.
If that was a send-off then anybody running down (from a kick-off) would have got 40 metres to change their technique.
Because they could affect their team quite significantly (if sent off).
– Trent Robinson, Sydney Roosters Coach
Robinson’s comments come in the wake of Nelson Asofa-Solomona’s sin-binning for a high tackle on Roosters’ Lindsay Collins during the preliminary final. While Asofa-Solomona missed the grand final, Robinson believes a send-off could have been a more impactful first step towards creating change.
Preserving Front-Rower Roles
However, the Roosters coach is firmly against long-term changes to kick-off rules. He worries that significant alterations could eradicate front-rowers and irrevocably change the game’s dynamics. Robinson points to the impact of the six-again rule, which he believes has already diminished the value of bench front-rowers.
We want front-rowers in our game. We want kick-offs (for them) to stamp that authority on the game.
We don’t want a team of back-rowers and locks, so we’ve got to think about our rule changes and the positions that we have and love in the game.
– Trent Robinson, Sydney Roosters Coach
Players Weigh In
Lindsay Collins, the victim of Asofa-Solomona’s high tackle, also opposes kick-off rule changes. He insists that hard runs and strong tackles are part of his job description, regardless of the risks involved.
That’s what I get paid to do, that’s my job, and I am going to do it regardless.
There were comments there that I ran too hard (against Melbourne). It’s a kick-off carry in semi-final football. What do you want me to do? Dawdle into the line?
– Lindsay Collins, Sydney Roosters Player
Collins emphasizes the strategic importance of kick-offs for both attacking and defending teams. As a front-rower, his goal is to push past the 10-metre line on offense and contain the opposition within that boundary on defense. These plays, he argues, set the tone for the team and send a critical message to the opposition.
NRL’s Stance
While the NRL has not finalized rule changes for the upcoming season, sources indicate that significant modifications to kick-offs are unlikely. The league is also not expected to alter the activation of the concussion substitute rule.
As the debate continues, it remains to be seen how the NRL will balance player welfare concerns with the desire to maintain the game’s inherent physicality and strategic elements. Trent Robinson’s provocative proposal has undoubtedly added a new dimension to the conversation, challenging stakeholders to consider unconventional solutions to a complex issue.
