V'landys' reality check over crackdown backlash

NRL boss Peter V'landys assures there won't be an NRL in the future if the league doesn't get serious on head-high tackles.

Responding to a widespread backlash following the Magic Round crackdown which saw 14 players sin binned and three sent off, V'landys insisted hits to the head and neck will be a bigger threat to the future of the game than COVID ever was.

"I think this is a greater threat than what COVID was in the long-term. COVID had the potential to bankrupt us, this has the potential to kill us," V'landys told Nine news.

"No, not at all (we're not in danger of destroying the game). People with their arguments have exaggerated things, saying it's going to be tag, etc. There is no reduction in the physicality of the game. You can still be gladiatorial, all it's going to do is that there are no knocks on the head. Simple as that.

"You can still tackle hard, you can still hit hard, but just avoid the neck and avoid the head."

V'landys revealed at the core of the issue were participation rates at junior level, with families increasingly choosing to enroll their children into soccer rather than rugby league over safety concerns.

"All mothers are selecting soccer at the moment because they believe it's safer for their children," V'landys said.

"In years to come, you won't have any participation unless you address this issue.

"We want to send the message to the mums that we are taking action, we are going to care about your child, we are going to care when he's an adult and that he's not going to get hit in the head playing our game."

Of all the incidents across Magic Round, V'landys said he was most appalled by Tyrell Fuimaono's shot to Ryan Papenhuyzen which saw the youngster taken from the field on a stretcher.

"The last thing I want to see is what I saw on the weekend, having one of our marquee players on the floor for two minutes not moving," V'landys said.

"What sort of sight is that? What message is that sending mothers. What fans want that? That's the thing that disturbs me. Who wants to see someone injured and someone hurt on the ground. I don't, and I will do everything in my power to stop it.

"If I don't do this, then I shouldn't be in my position, basically because I'm not strong enough.

For a daily dose of the best of the breaking news and exclusive content from Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by clicking here!