ARL Commission has begun research into the shoulder charge
by: Stuart Honeysett, Brent Read
From: The Australian
August 14, 2012 12:00AM
THE shoulder charge will be back on the agenda today when the NRL rules advisory committee _ made up of some of the game's sharpest minds _ debates the merits of the controversial tackling technique.
The ARL Commission has begun research into the shoulder charge amid a growing push from club doctors over the need to outlaw it in the name of player safety.
While that research is still some way from being completed, the rules advisory committee is set to weigh into the debate at a meeting involving Warriors coach Ivan Cleary, former Australia captain Darren Lockyer, former NSW coach Ricky Stuart and his current Queensland counterpart Mal Meninga.
They will also discuss a proposal for the coach's challenge system, which is on course to be trialled in Toyota Cup games later this year.
Director of football operations Nathan McGuirk confirmed the shoulder charge would form part of the meeting as the commission continues its review with a view towards making a decision on whether it has a place in the modern game.
"It's obviously a very important issue we're addressing," McGuirk said.
"While there is some sense of urgency, it's not something we're going to rush through. We will be quite diligent with the process we're going through and come out with the right answers."
The shoulder charge came to the fore earlier this year when Canterbury forward Frank Pritchard was suspended over a hit on Penrith's David Simmons.
Since then there have been a number of other incidents, the highest profile involving Brisbane forward Ben Te'o and South Sydney fullback Greg Inglis.
Club doctors have made their stance well-known on the issue. They formed their own independent body and immediately called for an end to the shoulder charge, fearing the game could leave itself open to legal action.
McGuirk also confirmed the commission had formulated a proposal on the coach's challenge system and it could be rubber-stamped should the rules committee raise no major issues.
The idea will be to trial it later this year in the Toyota Cup and provided it comes through without any major hitches, it could be introduced to the NRL as early as next year.
"We have a proposal on the coach's challenge system that's going to be discussed," McGuirk said. "We're going to get the thoughts of the coaches and members of the committee.
"Once we have the model finalised we will take a look at trialling it in Toyota Cup matches.
"We will look at how it goes in the trials and go from there."
It won't be the only important get-together taking place today as clubs meet en masse to discuss their desire for increased funding from the ARL Commission.
The Australian understands club chief executives and chairmen will be taken through a range of proposals over future funding tied to the next broadcasting deal.
The results of today's meeting will form the basis of what the NRL Council will take to the ARL Commission when it holds its historic first meeting on August 27. The NRL Council, formed to pursue the interests of the clubs, will be made up of one representative from each of the 16 clubs.
