The Mayo Report: NRL Announces End of High Tackle Crackdown and Allows Knives On-Field after Latrell Calls Out Softness of the Game
The Mayo Report: NRL Announces End of High Tackle Crackdown and Allows Knives On-Field after Latrell Calls Out Softness of the Game
DYOR Dave
A late rule change for the upcoming NRL season has been reported by the Mayo Man following Latrell Mitchell’s comments backing his aggressive style of play that landed the Bunnies star a six-match ban.
In round 24 of last year, Mitchell was placed on report for a sickening high shot on former teammate Joey Manu, which left the Rooster with a shattered cheekbone and eye socket.
Despite the tackle causing Mitchell to miss his team’s finals campaign, he proclaimed that “I don’t think I need to [change my style], I think the game needs to change.”
Now, in an extraordinary turn of events, the Mayo Report can announce that the NRL have taken these comments to heart, and the crackdown on high tackles has been ended, while players will now also be allowed to carry knives on the field.
The issue of disciplining high tackles has been at the forefront of the game since the crackdown began in magic round last year, but it would seem that the league has changed its tune, with an unnamed source stating, “Latrell is spot on. If players like Joey Manu can’t get up after a minor shatter to the cheekbone and eye socket, well then maybe they should be playing Oztag instead.”
Furthermore, in response to the waning viewership of events like state of origin, where the centrepiece was usually some sort of violent confrontation, the NRL has implemented a controversial new rule allowing players to carry knives during matches.
It won’t be a free-for-all though, with strict regulations requiring knives only to be used in breaks of play, so as to not interfere with the air pressure of the football itself.
After the ref has blown his whistle to indicate a break of play, players are welcome to retaliate to newly legal high shots with their blades, which must be regulation NRL knives. (Team supporter knives will be available to the public shortly)
In an exclusive interview with the Mayo Man, Latrell Mitchell praised the new rules, saying “It’s great to see the NRL standing up to PC and cancel culture, I mean for fucks sake they even make us cut our nails before matches.”
The new rules have caused a flurry of contract renegotiations, with Bulldogs enforcer Jack Hetherington reportedly chasing a multi-million dollar deal due to his extraordinary 2-1 ratio of high-tackles to hit-ups.
Additionally, Manly Hooker Manaise Fainu is being pursued by numerous clubs for his alleged knife skills despite the fact that he maintains his innocence, although clubs are uncertain whether these skills will translate from the church to the footy field.
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