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Leaked email puts all NRL clubs on notice after shocking ump failures
SEN • April 1st, 2025 10:57 am
A leaked email from NRL head of football Graham Annesley has revealed that all 17 clubs have been put on notice over contact with the head.
After a series of ugly hits last weekend, Annesley’s email said the league would be enforcing a sin-bin crackdown after umpires had failed to correctly protect players.
Jarome Luai, Tom Gilbert, Jordan Riki, and Reed Mahoney somehow all remained on the field before being issued fines and or suspensions after the fact.
The email conceded that match officials had failed to follow correct policy and as such at least two umpires are now facing the chop.
“There were several incidents of foul play in round 4 where on-field action by match officials fell short of policy that has been in place for several seasons,” Annesley wrote in the email which was released by the Daily Telegraph.
“Of particular concern, on four occasions the sin bin was not used for incidents involving direct forceful contact with the head/neck of opponents.
“The lack of appropriate on-field action in these cases should not be seen as a precedent for future similar incidents.
“Match officials have been shown these incidents today to reinforce their errors in applying NRL policy, and clubs should expect the required standard to be implemented throughout the remainder of the season.”
Both Gilbert and Riki now look set for a multi-game ban, Luai will be fined and miss one match while Mahoney will pay a fine.
