“If there is a loophole in player safety, we’ll correct it. That’s our number one objective. What’s the difference between a bouncing ball or a high ball if you’re in the air? That’s what we’ll need to weigh up when we sit down and review it.”

The exploration of a potential rule change has been welcomed by Seibold, who took aim at the NRL following the loss that cost his side any hope of playing finals football this year.

“That’s a penalty every day of the week,” Seibold said in the press conference. “The rule says it’s not because the ball bounced and wasn’t a kick, but how many times do we pull tackles up for a slight crusher or give the penalty for someone slipping up from chest to jaw?

“Fair dinkum, let’s be serious … I’ll get a phone call from [referee coach] Dave Fairleigh or somebody from the NRL tomorrow and they’ll apologise or [say], ‘That’s the correct decision’ or, ‘It wasn’t a dangerous tackle’. It was a dangerous tackle — he’s injured. He couldn’t finish the game and it’s our season on the line so I am p—ed off about it.“

Samoa sound out Holbrook

Samoa have opened discussions with recently sacked Gold Coast Titans coach Justin Holbrook about taking over the national side at the end of the season.

This masthead has been told that Samoan officials are keen on Holbrook taking over from Matt Parish, who last week stepped away from the job after 11 years at the helm.

Cronulla assistant Daniel Holdsworth, who helped with the team during their run to the World Cup final last year, was considered the leading contender for the job.

Holbrook, who recently accepted a job as Trent Robinson’s assistant at the Roosters from next season, is now in the frame but will need the blessing of his new club.

Tigers to keep Benji in loop on GM

The Wests Tigers have agreed to consult Benji Marshall on the appointment of a new general manager of rugby league.

The club’s last two major appointments were made by the board and the executive team without the knowledge of the football department.

Former coach Michael Maguire was shocked to learn of Tim Sheens’ appointment back in 2021. The club recently appointed new recruitment manager Scott Fulton without informing Sheens or Marshall after the opportunity to sign the talent spotter presented itself through a player agent.

Marshall will be a key figure in discussions about a new head of football. It’s expected the club will allow Marshall the next fortnight to focus on the team before sitting down to map out a plan for the future in the off season.

Marshall will also have to find at least one new assistant coach. The club has been made aware of concerns from player agents over the level of detail in the defence program run by David Furner.

He may also need to find a replacement for assistant coach Robbie Farah, who has indicated to the club that he sees his future in administration.

It appears unlikely Farah will be parachuted into the GM role but could be an understudy to whoever is appointed as the boss of the football department.

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One name in the frame is Mark O’Neill. The Parramatta general manager played with both Farah and Marshall and has a good relationship with them. O’Neill has overseen the football program at the Eels since 2018 but played his whole career at the Tigers.

Sharks eye home comforts

The NRL will send out the guidelines for home finals in the coming days, with Cronulla’s ability to host a game set to come under scrutiny.

The finals series is run by the NRL, who gets the last say in where matches will be played. Head office like to play week one matches at the home venue of the respective clubs but the Sharks are no guarantee to get a home final at PointsBet Stadium.

Last year the NRL allowed the Sharks to play their final against the Cowboys at home before a crowd of 12,447. The fact the Sharks’ opponents were an out-of-town team weighed heavily on the NRL’s decision.

With the Sharks looking likely to finish fifth or six, thereby earning a home final in week one of the playoffs, the NRL will likely make a determination based on the team they square off against.

If they meet the Cowboys or Raiders, expect the Sharks to get the bonus of a home ground advantage. If they play South Sydney, the Roosters or even the highly supported Knights, that game could be moved across town to Allianz Stadium.

Vegas charter under consideration

The NRL is crunching the numbers to determine whether they should charter a flight for its players for next season’s trip to the United States to launch the season.

The NRL is in discussions with Qantas about hiring a plane to fly directly to Las Vegas instead of stopping in Los Angeles like all commercial airlines.

A stumbling block could be that some clubs have indicated they want to stay in Los Angeles in the lead-up.

One-way trip for Sharks NRLW squad

The Cronulla Sharks NRLW team was stranded in Townsville on Saturday. Turns out the NRL’s booking agency didn’t book them a return flight home to Sydney. They didn’t get home until the next day.

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