'Game is a joke': NRL sin-bin farce sparks fan uproar
The NRL is facing backlash from rugby league greats and fans after multiple sin-bins in Friday night's two Magic Round games sparked farcical scenes.
Eight players were binned in the opening two games on Friday night, with Wests Tigers, Newcastle, Brisbane and Manly all having two expelled.
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This number could see referees more than double the record for the most sin-bins in a round.
The sudden rise has come as part of a two-pronged crackdown across the game.
Six players were sent on their way for professional fouls and ruck infringements on Friday night, while two Broncos were ejected for high shots.
The NRL are desperate to eradicate dangerous contact, after a surge in high tackles and players being charged for contact with the head this year.
But one or two of the sin bins didn't sit well with NRL greats.
“It isn’t the game that Corey (Parker) and I played,” NRL great, turned commentator, Michael Ennis said on Fox Sports.
Jordan Riki makes the SIXTH sin binning... of the night
What are your thoughts on the latest NRL crackdown?
Story: https://t.co/b0Mzd4GsaJ pic.twitter.com/1cQ0o7TZXB— Fox League (@FOXNRL) May 14, 2021
“It’s changed. It’s changed quickly.”
Corey Parker reiterated Ennis' sentiment over the sin-bins in the Brisbane Broncos match against the Sea Eagles.
“They’re the people (the fans) that are missing out, the people paying ytheir hard-earned money to come and watch their stars play and it’s unable to happen,” Parker said.
“The standard has been set.”
NRL community fume over sin-bin farce
Fans were also left baffled at the number of sin-bins 'ruining the spectacle' of the game.
The fabric of the game is now a joke. Inconsistent six agains sin bins no reward for finding touch . Just put tags on their shorts and I think that’s what they want the game to look like.
— Jeff Jurotte (@JJurotte) May 14, 2021
A sin bin every twenty minutes seems over the top #nrl
— Mark Gottlieb (@MarkGottlieb) May 14, 2021
So at least 12 sin bins today?
— Hayden (@HaydenLeBFN) May 14, 2021
The #NRL decision to sin bin everybody for anything rule might need some work @FOXNRL @Former_legend @TripleM_NRL
— Michael Heuston (@heusto77) May 14, 2021
The constant tinkering with the game is ruining it.
Aren’t refs capable of discerning what a sin bin offence really is?
What a joke tonight was with their overreaction on the use of the sin bin. #NRL— Ben B (@Benb55) May 14, 2021
Sin Bin Yourself @NRL
— Rugby League Best Tries Hits and Biffs (@NBiffs) May 14, 2021
8 sin bins in 2 games. Seems like this #NRL crackdown has gone a step (or 8) too far. Spectacle of the great game gone.
— Richard (@rpenners1) May 14, 2021
Just because Tedesco has been hit high twice in the past few weeks as he dropped late in tackles. The @NRL decided we need to introduce a new rule. Talk about an over reaction. #NRL #TedescoRule
— Freddie Faraj (@FreddieFaraj) May 14, 2021
Spot on. Too many changes too quickly. Leave the bloody game alone @nrl. Some of the sin bins were laughable. Rule changes ridiculous. About time PVL thought of players, fans & game not broadcasters $. #NRL #MagicRound
— Paul Kneeshaw (@Stick_Beetle) May 15, 2021
Broncos coach Kevin Walters, however, refused to blame the sin-bin for the 50-6 drubbing at the hands of Manly.
In bizarre scenes, six separate Broncos incidents were put on report with Jordan Riki and Tyson Gamble pinged twice and Matt Lodge and Tevita Pangai once.
Riki and Gamble were also binned, with the former's coming when he led with the head into Morgan Harper as he tried to bring him to the ground.
In fairness, the match was already over at 26-6 when the pair both went in the space of 40 seconds of each other.
"We were all aware of that (crackdown). Everyone was notified," Walters said.
"We spoke about it during the week. Everybody got a hand out.
"We've got bigger problems. We have to look at ourselves ... The referees don't tick the scoreboard over."
with AAP
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