Warriors players have been reminded about the NRLs new clampdown on foul play, but assistant coach Craig Hodges says its something other teams need to worry about more than them.
Over the two games on Friday night there were eight players sin-binned. Before the Magic round began, the NRL warned clubs that players who make high shots, shoulder charges and crusher tackles would be dealt with severely.
But the players didnt listen and a staggering number of them were given their marching orders at Suncorp Stadium.
The Warriors, who take on the Eels on Sunday were given a reminder by the coaches on Saturday morning about the NRLs crackdown on players making contact around the head and neck areas.
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We touched on it quickly at the start of our video session this morning, Hodges said.
I dont want to jinx us, but were a fairly clean side and it will be far more of a concern for other teams than it is for us.
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Jordan Riki used his head in a tackle with Hamilton born Morgan Harper, in the Broncos’ 50-6 loss to the Sea Eagles, but he faces a two-game ban for a crusher tackle on Haumole Olakau’atu.
One of them was for an attempted headbutt (by the Broncos Jordan Riki), so people are getting a bit hysterical about that, I think that should be a minimum of being a sending off.
He didnt do a great deal of damage (to the Sea Eagles Morgan Harper), but he still attempted to lash out with his head and theres no place for that in our game, no matter what rules theyve got.
Some of the other ones, weve noticed theyve been progressing that way, they want the game to be fast and they want it to be a spectacle.
They dont want defenders laying over the top of guys and they dont want the game to be slowed down.
In rugby league world, were really getting an education from Peter VLandys (ARLC chair) that our game is a product of entertainment and we need to need to entertain the fans to keep there here.
For the Eels game, the Warriors are able to welcome back Euan Aitken, who hasnt played since picking up an ankle injury in the season opener game against the Titans.
Aitken confirmed on Friday that hed be in the team ahead of Edward Kosi, but on Saturday Hodges revealed it will be Rocco Berry moving to the wing, rather than Adam Pompey.
Euan is new to the club but hes an experienced player with 120 odd NRL games, Hodges said.
So youve seen the young weve played with in the outside backs the last couple of weeks, which has been fantastic and theyve done a wonderful job, but it would be great for them to have Euan beside them.
So Euan will go into right centre and Rocco will go onto the right wing beside him.
Meanwhile, Hodges said Kodi Nikorima has been training at hooker this week. Last weekend against the Sea Eagles, Nikorima spent time at dummy half, giving Wayde Egan a rest, while allowing Reece Walsh to come into the halves.
The more time Nikorima spends at hooker, the more flexibility it gives the coaches around how they use players.
Were asking a lot of Wayde at the moment, Hodges said.
Hes playing 80 minutes of football a week in a tough position. So not only is it to bring Reece into the game, but its also strategic to give Wayde a spell, to play Kodi there a bit more.
But weve got options around Reece as well. Roger (Tuivasa-Sheck) is keen to play other positions, Reece is a talented young fella and there are a lot of different positions he could play, he could have a roving role, which isnt a traditional role in rugby league.
While hes getting his education, he may not play big minutes each week. Like a lot of young fellas, he doesnt need a long time to be introduced into a game, hell come on and insert himself straight into it.
Its a nice position to be in, to have guys coming back, a stronger team on the paddock and then Reece drip fed into the game.