Another Super League game was marred by a harsh red card last night with Hull FC’s Nu Brown sent off for making head contact with Ben Currie, however, one Warrington player has claimed the new rules are “great”.
Brown was sent off after accidentally making head-to-head contact with Currie, the New Zealand hooker being span around in the tackle and thrust towards Currie.
Despite the overwhelming majority of fans, players and pundits deeming the decision to send off the Kiwi international to be incredibly harsh, Warrington Wolves star Paul Vaughan felt otherwise.
Speaking post-game to Jenna Brooks live on Sky Sports, the Australian did accept that the adjustments to the new rules were a “little bit hard”, but overall he was positive on the issues.
The 2023 Dream Team member explained: “Yeah, I guess it’s a little bit hard. The new rules that are coming this year, you just have to sort of adjust to it the best you can.
“Obviously, the rules in place are trying to keep the game safe and you just can’t make contact with the head, that’s just the way it goes.
“I know after the first week there was a lot of suspensions but I think it’s just about trying to make the game as safe as possible and try to look after the players’ heads.
“That’s the main concern, so you just have to adjust to it and I agree with the rules, I think it’s great.”
Many will agree with Vaughan on the decision to protect players and try and prevent concussions but for Brown to become the fifth man to be sent off this year in Super League, few have called the implementation of tougher laws as “great”.
Growing talks of a player union in Super League
In fact, there has now been strong talk of a player’s union emerging with Vaughan’s teammate George Williams being a strong advocate for that.
The England captain has been joined in that sentiment by Super League full-back Ryan Brierley who has announced plans to bring together the 12 Super League captains to discuss the state of the sport.
That was something Brierley announced on social media this morning and he’s already had Leigh Leopards skipper John Asiata respond positively.
On X, formerly Twitter, he said: “It’s not just about the head contact situation. It’s about all aspects of the game I feel we should have a voice on. It’s just a start, but let’s get 12 captains on a zoom call and have a conversation and let’s take some points to the RFL and see where it takes us.”
He then doubled down on that: “Will reach out to all 12 captains over the next week and any player that wants to join the zoom call reach out for sure. I think for now, everyone put there attention into supporting this weekends games. Hopefully we can come up with a solution.”
How this situation will play out is unknown but the RFL did reveal to Serious About Rugby League last week that lines of communication are always open for players.
Will reach out to all 12 captains over the next week and any player that wants to join the zoom call reach out for sure. I think for now, everyone put there attention into supporting this weekends games. Hopefully we can come up with a solution.
— Ryan Brierley (@RyanBrierley) February 24, 2024
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