The 2026 NRL season is already facing scrutiny over high tackle charges, with coaches and players expressing frustration over inconsistent rulings. The drama began with Nathan Cleary's high tackle charge, which was reduced from grade two to grade one, avoiding a three-game suspension. This sparked debate, as Ivan Cleary argued that the contact wasn't severe enough to warrant such a charge. The match review committee, however, disagreed, highlighting the ongoing issue of inconsistency in high tackle rulings. The controversy intensified with Braidon Burns' high shot on Kalyn Ponga, resulting in a two-game ban, while Stephen Crichton's shoulder contact with Setu Tu went unpunished, despite clear footage. This inconsistency has sparked outrage among fans and commentators, who question the match review committee's decision-making process. The NRL's high tackle crackdown from last season, which led to 18 sin bins in one round, has seemingly regressed, leaving players and coaches concerned about the fairness and consistency of the rules.
