Opinion
Yes, I know theoretically in some perfect world that defenders should let go when the referee calls held, but I want to start by considering when the tackled player should release.
There’s an obvious tactical advantage for a tackled player to grab hold of a defender. This can prevent them from getting back to a key position such as fullback or wing.
The laws do not appear to prohibit this practice. Defenders are required to release simultaneously when a tackle is complete, but curiously a tackled player isn’t asked to do the same.
This sometimes leads to the unedifying spectacle of a defender launching a series of karate chops in an attempt to break free and resume their defensive duties.
It’s not a good look, but I’ve never seen the holder of the ball be penalised for preventing a defender’s retreat.
We haven’t had a good old fashioned crackdown for a while, so why not ask the refs to keep an eye on this next weekend?
(Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
During State of Origin One, there was a release controversy when Daly Cherry-Evans scored.
The Queensland front row, Lindsay Collins in particular, remained bound for a second after referee Ashley Klein called break.
This prevented Junior Paulo from having a chance to defend after the three Blues back rowers had exploded towards the left corner.
The game has certainly evolved when props are expected to make try-saving tackles from scrums!
Happily the try was allowed as I don’t think anyone welcomes a future where every try from a scrum is held up as the Bunker examines how tightly bound the front rowers were.
The law is clear on players leaving the scrum too early: the scrum is not to break until the referee calls ‘out’ (or ‘break’ as Ashley Klein prefers).
But if you watch any NRL you’ll know it’s a rule more honoured in the breach than the observance.
One player not being immediately released is Payne Haas. He asked on May 26 to be let go, but the Broncos replied they’d prefer to hold onto him for a while. So I suppose you could say he is being held against his will.
(Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
If only Haas had been on the field for the Origin scrum mentioned above. Then we might have seen a player, being held against his will, literally be held against his will.
Of course the entire game is full of players being held against their will. We see it every time there’s a tackle involving multiple defenders who lethargically peel off.
They have a special name for these tackles in Melbourne … they call them tackles.
The option of holding down players usually goes nuclear in the closing minute of a close game.
Felise Kaufusi is a master, regularly doing his best impression of a Sunday morning sleep-in before reluctantly rising from the tackled player.
Sometimes a penalty or a sin bin results that usually has no significance as the clock winds down.
How about we let teams finish their possession even though the final siren has sounded? We currently let them finish their tackle, so why not the full six?
For example, imagine in Origin One when Isaah Yeo was tackled just short on the fourth tackle, if NSW had been allowed to finish their set.
And not just their set, but their possession. And if there were penalties, or six agains, then the match could potentially continue for another few thrilling minutes.
It would have made wonderful viewing … provided of course the right team had still won.
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