NRL debate erupts after frightening Moses Suli moment during ANZAC clash against Roosters
The kick-off act has come under question again after a frightening act in the ANZAC day clash.
There are more calls for the NRL to review the kick-off after Dragons centre Moses Suli leaving the game on the first hit-up of the ANZAC clash against the Roosters. The NRL kick-off debate took off a few weeks ago when an NFL style start was suggested for the NRL to avoid the heavy contact at the start of the game, which can often cause head knocks.
And unfortunately for Suli, a head knock saw him dazed and taken from the field in the first few seconds of the clash. Zac Lomax pumped the ball long, which found its way to Jared Waerea-Hargreaves. The Roosters enforcer charged the ball forward and slammed in to the Dragons line.
Waerea-Hargreaves slammed into Suli with the Dragons centre's head colliding with the Roosters' big-man. And Suli stayed on the ground after the frightening collision.
There was concern for Suli as he sat up, before the 25-year-old was escorted from the field. He would take not further part in the game. The NRL introduced new ruling around kick-offs and drop outs in 2024 to encourage shorter attempts so teams can regain the ball. This was also in part to reduce the chances of a player getting a concussion from a big hit-up.
While there is no sign the NRL will immediately make changes to the historic kick-off, fans are now starting to question whether it will be around in a few years. The opening scenes in the ANZAC day clash had many NRL fans also suggesting the restart would be changed in the near future after the frightening Suli scenes.
Thoughts with Mosese Suli who suffered a concussion just one tackle into his ANZAC Day game. Clear Category 1 signs.
The NRL introduced changes to the rulings around kickoff & drop outs this season - in part to encourage short kickoffs & hopefully reduce concussion risk. pic.twitter.com/a6lsoIwomB— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) April 25, 2024
It’s only a matter of time until NRL follows the rule change NFL has just introduced
— John Saridakis (@saridakis_john) April 25, 2024
@VossyBrandySEN Brandy is right.
Kick off's are the most dangerous part of the game.#NRL— Sir M.B.Anshaw § (@djebel) April 25, 2024
Ban the Kick off#NRLDragonsRoosters
— Nuff (@FantasyNuffie) April 25, 2024
The kick off cant be changed. Stupid argument
— Brad 🇦🇺🦘 (@_____Brad______) April 25, 2024
The long kick off will soon be banned #NRLDragonsRoosters
— Wal G (@Gisikus) April 25, 2024
I’m upgrading my prediction. The NRL kickoff won’t exist as we know it in 2025. Wouldn’t be shocked if there’s a mid season change. And for all the Neanderthals the game has never been tougher. #nrldragonsroosters
— Mike M (@michaeldarren79) April 25, 2024
Kick-off debate grows amid scary NRL scenes
At the beginning of April, reporter Dean Ritchie spoke on NRL 360 and claimed making adjustments to the kick-off is starting to find backers within the community. “I spoke to Greg Alexander and Brandy gave me a couple of quotes, and he is another advocate for it to be considered to be banned,” Ritchie said.
“I’m not calling for it to be banned. All I’m saying is, is it a discussion that we will have to have in the next two to three years.” Reporter Paul Kent claimed the players make the decision to charge into the line as hard as they do.
“No, it’s not,” Kent said. “The answer is no because it’s rugby league. OK, let me just start going through it. “They play the game willingly, OK. They are well-paid to play the game. It is their decision to catch the ball and to accelerate. There’s nothing in the rules that says you have to accelerate into the line the way they do."
Ritchie hit back. “I’m not saying ban it. You misunderstand me. I am saying in due course I think they will get rid of that heavy collision and they will start with a 20-metre tap," he added.