Cleary calls for NRL rule change that would disadvantage Storm against Panthers

Yahoo

3 days ago

Ivan Cleary has called on the NRL to change the rules around tackling attacking players in the air, and it comes with the Melbourne Storm having a clear advantage over the Panthers in their grand final rematch on Thursday night. Controversy has erupted in recent weeks over the NRL's interpretation of the much-maligned rule, with the Storm and Sharks both being awarded penalty tries last weekend.
The Storm got a penalty try against the Broncos when Coates was deemed to have been tackled in the air near the line, and the same occurred for the Sharks against the Dragons with Teig Wilton. Under the current rules, players can't be tackled in their air regardless of whether they're the attacker or defender.
The rules used to stipulate that an attacking player could be tackled in the air as it meant defenders would have virtually no other option but to allow their opponent to score tries if they caught the ball in the in-goal. But the rule was changed in 2020 due to concerns over what it meant for player safety.
Under the current system, defenders have to wait for the attacker's feet to hit the ground before they can tackle, otherwise they risk a penalty try. On Thursday night, the Storm will have a glaring advantage over the Panthers if Coates is marking up against the much smaller Brian To'o.
In State of Origin 1, To'o was sin-binned when he tackled Coates in the air while trying to prevent a try. If they're marking each other on Thursday night, there's no doubt To'o will be peppered with high kicks.
Ivan Cleary wants rule to be tweaked by NRL
But according to Panthers coach Cleary, the NRL needs to fix the rule. On Tuesday, Cleary questioned whether the interpretation of the rule has "drifted" from it's original intent, saying: "I'm not comfortable. Some of the (rulings) you've seen have nothing to do with safety, so I think there's a little bit of common sense needed around that rule.
"It's one of those where the rule was originally made, we tend to forget why it was made, and we drift off, and it becomes something else. As long as it's deemed safe, I think you should at least get the opportunity to try to stop a try in that situation. Anyone who matches up against some of these wingers, including Xavier, it's a tough ask."
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The Storm had success in Round 24 last year when they targeted To'o with kicks, but the Panthers adjusted in the grand final and allowed Melbourne's wingers to catch the ball unopposed before smothering them as soon as they landed. 'That's part of being a good team. You've got to adapt whether it's interpretations or trends in the game,' Cleary said.
'We're no different and we try to do that as much as we can. There are many ways that we can try to combat things like that. The best way is to not let them down there too often.'
Brian To'o speaks out before Xavier Coates clash
The Panthers have the option of switching Thomas Jenkins to the right wing to mark Coates, with To'o giving the Storm flyer a 12cm height advantage. To'o said on Tuesday: 'Don't tackle him in the air or take his legs out because that can do a lot of damage.
'I'm not really aware (of the rule) at the time, it's more about me competing for the ball. As long as the person comes down safely, I think that's all that matters. In terms of all the rules, it's one of those hard ones. The majority of the wingers are taller than me, so there's not much that I can do. It's my job to compete for those high balls, so as long as both of us come down safely, that's all that matters.'