Mitch Moses Highlights Concerns Over NRL’s Speed and Injury Risks
Mitch Moses, the captain of Parramatta Eels, has voiced strong concerns about the increasing number of injuries in the National Rugby League (NRL), particularly those caused by hip-drop tackles. His comments come in response to recent incidents where two players from his team have suffered long-term injuries due to these illegal tackles.
Moses emphasized that the speed of the game is a key factor contributing to such injuries. He pointed out that the fast-paced nature of modern rugby league makes it difficult for defenders to avoid making contact in high-pressure situations. This, he argues, leads to more frequent use of hip-drop tackles, which can result in serious injuries.
One of the most recent victims of this trend is fullback Isaiah Iongi, who is expected to miss eight weeks due to a high-grade syndesmosis injury. Additionally, lock J’maine Hopgood has had his season ended after suffering an ACL rupture from a hip-drop tackle by St George Illawarra’s Ryan Couchman.
“If you want to keep quickening up the game and making it lightning fast and having these one-man tackles, two-man tackles, it’s what is going to happen,” Moses said. “Obviously it’s an illegal move but you can’t really stop it in today’s game. Those things are going to happen at full pace, fast, people getting dragged down.”
This issue is not new. Parramatta coach Jason Ryles previously raised similar concerns after Hopgood’s injury last month. The players’ union has also linked the increased speed of the game to a rise in foul play, especially since the introduction of set restarts in 2021.
One month into the current season, there has been a 57 per cent increase in set restarts compared to the same period last year, with one now awarded every 30 tackles. Moses believes that these changes have contributed to the rise in hip-drop tackles and the resulting injuries.
“People don’t go out there to intentionally go and hip drop this bloke and do his ankle,” Moses said. “You can’t stop it. The way the game is, it’s really fast and lightning quick. That’s how the NRL want it to be, that’s how the fans want it to be. You want it to be lightning quick. These things are going to happen. Injuries are going to happen from these tackles. You’re not going to be able to stop it unless you slow down the game.”
Despite these concerns, Moses believes that Parramatta is better prepared to handle the challenges of the season. The addition of players like Joash Papali’i and Jack de Belin has strengthened the team’s depth. However, he remains puzzled by the inconsistency in penalties for hip-drop tackles.
Ryan Couchman received a four-match ban for his tackle on Hopgood, while Penrith’s Mitch Kenny was only given a one-week suspension for a similar incident involving Isaiah Iongi. When asked if this made sense, Moses responded: “I don’t think it does, no.” He added, “I don’t know how they rule it. I don’t know what their thought is around a hip drop, it hasn’t really been clear.”
Moses’ comments highlight the growing debate around the balance between maintaining the fast-paced nature of the game and ensuring player safety. As the NRL continues to evolve, the challenge will be finding ways to reduce the risk of serious injuries without compromising the excitement that fans love.
