You have skipped the navigation, tab for page content
Blues firebrand Paul Gallen believes the NRL has gone soft.<br><br>Blaming the ever-increasing speed of the game and the introduction of wrestling techniques, Gallen explained how the game has lost its physicality in recent years. <br><br>“A lot of the impact has gone in defence just because it is so fast… its relied on a lot of wrestling,” the Sharks lock admitted on BigPond Sports Weekend.<br><br>“You look at the big hits two or three years ago… it’s a lot of body contact, shoulders into the ribs, now we don’t do a lot of body contact training. <br><br>“We do a lot of stop the player, grab hold of his arms, stop him from offloading and get him on the ground.”<br><br>Asked if he thought the game had gone soft, Gallen responded; “Yeah, I think so.” <br><br>The tough-as-nails Kangaroo said over-officiating and newly introduced rules were doing no favours for players or fans.<br><br>“I think a lot of common sense has gone out of the game. <br><br>“They’ve tried to make it just too black and white.” <br><br>Speaking after the Broncos’ victory over an energetic Gold Coast outfit on Saturday night, Gallen highlighted a ‘soft’ penalty on playmaker Darren Lockyer to illustrate his point.<br><br>“That hit on [Darren] Lockyer last night, I don’t think there’s much in it. To pull it up in a semi-final and to give a penalty for it, probably late in the tackle count, I just think it’s too much.”<br><br><b><a href="http://bigpondvideo.com/Sports-Summer-Highlights/208417">CLICK HERE to view the entire BSW interview.</a></b>
Acknowledgement of Country

National Rugby League respects and honours the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.

Premier Partner

Media Partners

Major Partners

View All Partners