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 was sickening 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.