NRL's kick-blocker crackdown changes the game - but the question is do we want that?
NRL kickers are under more pressure than ever. But what will the knock-on effects of the new crack-down be?
Broncos chief executive Paul White has stood his ground and vigorously denied he’ll be following Anthony Griffin out the door.
White on Monday rejected reports his position at Brisbane would be untenable after his board clinically cut good friend Griffin free.
The CEO had backed Griffin to the hilt but took umbrage at views that he would be part of mass changes brought by Wayne Bennett’s imminent return.
“That’s not going to happen,” he said. “I’ve got an absolute commitment and I’m hugely invested personally and professionally in this organisation.”
Senior directors Tony Joseph and Dennis Watt had secretly made moves for Bennett to return home from Newcastle and only revealed their plans to White on the weekend.
White on Sunday asked Griffin to stand down from the final year of his contract after the club secured their foundation coach on a three-year deal reportedly worth $4 million.
But he stressed he was looking forward to working beside Bennett.
“I’ve known Wayne for 30 years,” said White, a former police officer who also failed to lure Bennett home in 2011.
“He gave me my first contract. I’ve known him for almost all of my adult life.
“He knows who I am as a person and I know who he is as a person and there won’t be any issues whatsoever with that.
“Boards all around the world are given carriage to make decisions.
“I respect that right and in Anthony and Wayne we have two fantastic coaches.”
Although White refused to go into detail about Bennett’s return, out of respect for Griffin, he alluded to “timing issues” as the reason for the decision, a fortnight after Bennett revealed he was leaving the Knights.
“They (directors) made it clear that performances over the last couple of years aren’t where they wanted it to be,” he said.
“It’s no more clandestine than that. Boards make tough decisions and Anthony and I have accepted those.”
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NRL kickers are under more pressure than ever. But what will the knock-on effects of the new crack-down be?
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