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Amendments to the head contact framework have been made to help officials make calls and for clarity, says Rugby Football League director of legal and operations Robert Hicks.
Nu Brown saw red for Hull against Warrington after an accidental clash post-first-contact with Ben Currie.
Now, referees will apply the framework only to initial contact in a tackle.
“Sanctioning doesn’t always have to be at the top end,” Hicks told the 5 Live Rugby League Podcast.
“Such as a dismissal and match bans. There has to be a graduated theme through that, and so we think by putting the word initial back into that first question it gives referees greater flexibility to use their rugby league knowledge.
“And, for players to understand that we’re not here to just say that everything in life is going to be black and white and perfect.”
The professional game framework itself was brought in for 2024 to give referees clear guidance as to how head contacts should be penalised during a match.
Now, following the change, in a flow-chart like diagram, officials first pose the question – ‘was initial contact made with the ball carrier’s head/neck on contact by the tackler’s upper or lower limb, shoulder, head or other body part?’
If the answer is ‘yes’ then the next step is – ‘was it forceful or dangerous?’ If so, the recommendation is a red card unless there are mitigating factors.
These include; the player bending at the waist or knees in a clear attempt to reduce tackle height and a tackled player losing height to bring about the head collision, players making a definite attempt to reduce tackle height, reactionary initial contact in which the tackler releases their opponent instantly, and head contact indirect or secondary – such as Brown’s collision with Currie.
If those are met, then the tackle can instead prompt a sin-bin. If not forceful or dangerous, then a sin-bin or penalty could be sufficient, particularly with mitigation.
“Head on head contacts are the biggest issue in relation to concussion for players of tackler and ball carrier,” Hicks – himself a former experienced referee – added.
“That was meant around initial contact into a tackle, we did accept there were always things that would happen within a tackle that would be outside the framework that would be part of the mechanics of the moving feast that a rugby tackle is.”
