NRL: Cleary warns of knee-jerk changes

Penrith coach Ivan Cleary. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Penrith coach Ivan Cleary has warned against making knee-jerk changes to the NRL rulebook after the career-ending injury to Newcastle back-rower Alex McKinnon.

McKinnon could be facing paralysis after a lifting tackle during last month's game against the Melbourne Storm resulted in him being carried from the ground with a broken neck.

The Knights criticised the NRL match review committee on Thursday for singling out Storm player Jordan McLean for his role in the three-man tackle, saying brothers Jesse and Kenny Bromwich should have also faced a judiciary hearing.

There have also been calls from medical experts to ban lifting and third-man tackles, something Cleary is not convinced could be implemented or would be for the long-term good of the sport.

"I'm not going to make any comment [on the Knights' statement]. It is an extremely sensitive issue and there has been too much said about it already," Cleary said.

"The only things that matters is Alex's wellbeing.

"I will say that if we make a quick reaction to every incident then we are going to get ourselves in trouble.

"It's not that simple. Whether it's changing the third-man tackle, kicking it dead, it's still a game and things happen.

"You can't make it black and white."

The NRL has made a series of rules changes over the past two years and Cleary acknowledged outlawing the shoulder charge and the cannonball tackle was a good thing.

But he said continuing to tinker with the game year after year was not a good approach.

"Every time we make a change to the rule the game changes again," he said.

"Players and coaches have to adjust to that. But it's already a great game.

"It's not too bad this year ... but we always have to be mindful that if you make too many changes it takes a while for everyone to get used to it.

"By mid-season everyone is flowing nicely, then next season things are changed again and we're back to square one ... we have to be mindful of that."

- AAP