Hugh McGahan: NRL losing their grip on lifting tackle crackdown

Jordan McLean. Photo / Getty Images

Jordan McLean should get his lawyer to sue the NRL for breaking their own rules.

They brought in rules recently which put a focus on player safety and made a stand on lifting in the tackle. But now this organisation are embarrassing themselves.

Allowing the judiciary panel to downgrade the charge against Josh Reynolds, who was involved in a dangerous tackle against Brent Tate in Wednesday's State of Origin game, is questionable at best.

This is the same sports body that announced they're taking a stand to prevent injury to their players.

It's hypocritical for chief executive Dave Smith to not intervene on this issue and reinforce the stance they made after the Alex McKinnon tragedy. Smith has been given the power to independently intercede on issues that affect the survival of the game.

Does he not want to be labelled a Queensland supporter while working in NSW? His new-found power was not restricted to keeping high-profile players in the NRL as claimed on its announcement.

The NRL took the high ground when McLean was sentenced for his tackle on McKinnon. They were praised for taking steps to eliminate the possibility of similar injuries in the future.

As I stated at the time, I didn't agree with the penalty but supported the position the organisation was taking.

Now, two weeks after the Greg Bird farce, the NRL have lost credibility with their stakeholders.

I love rugby league but this goes beyond state or club alliances. This is about player safety and welfare.

Tate was placed in an awful position. How are they looking after his safety?

Everyone watching would have taken a big breath when that tackle was made and, irrespective of the final result, isn't that what the NRL were trying to eliminate?

My biggest disappointment is listening to Bulldogs CEO Raelene Castle, who is relieved her player is available to continue playing. To say Reynolds had no intention, nor ever has the intention to injure, is not what this is about. She should have just said she was glad he is available to play and left it at that.

These two latest lifting tackle decisions leave me to again assume that the NRL are kneeling to pressure from themselves.

They're worried NSW could lose game two and then have to go to Brisbane again to try to win a decider - Queensland are gunning for nine consecutive series wins.

It would be another bitter pill to swallow but how bitter will the pill be when a death occurs from a dangerous tackle?

Maybe the NRL's integrity unit should investigate themselves.