The NRL says it’s investigating an incident involving a Parramatta Eels trainer last Friday night, in which he ran across the front of the posts while Penrith halfback Nathan Cleary was attempting a sideline conversion.
But the league has admitted there’s no specific provision in the rules where the kick, which Cleary missed, could be re-taken when it comes to trainers deliberately distracting a player taking a conversion. Provisions do exist for players causing the disruption.
However, there is clear direction in the NRL Operations Manual that trainers should not enter the line of sight of a player when he is attempting a goal.
I didn’t think this was allowed @NRL . Parramatta trainer running right in front cleary when kicking for goal #nrlpantherseels pic.twitter.com/g6aOEhChG9
— 𝖘𝖙𝖚𝖆𝖗𝖙 (@stuartp84) May 6, 2022
There is no suggestion the trainer acted deliberately but vision from the incident clearly shows it was a distraction.
NRL Head of Football Graham Annesley said the league continues to look into the matter.
“There’s no decision on this yet,” Annesley said.
“Clearly we’ll be making some decisions on that across the next 24 hours or so.
“There’s a range of things that could happen from a warning through to a breach notice, financial penalty… it depends very much on the circumstances and those circumstances are still very much being reviewed.”
Mr Annesley said given the incident is covered in the Operations Manual and not the official rules, it was unlikely Cleary could have been given the opportunity take the kick again.
“Clearly it’s undesirable to have trainers running in front of the goal posts when players are kicking for goal,” he said.
Mr Annesley said Cleary would not be asked about the incident as part of the investigation.
Meantime, Mr Annesley has conceded the officials missed a knock-on from Viliame Kikau in the first half. It was a crucial miss as Izack Tago scored a try soon after.
The Eels won the match 22-20.
Troy Dodds is the Weekender’s Managing Editor and Breaking News Reporter. He has more than 20 years experience as a journalist, working with some of Australia’s leading media organisations. In 2023, he was named Editor of the Year at the Mumbrella Publish Awards.
