Overview

• The ARLC has been granted authority to charge players regardless of the Match Review Committee’s ruling after an amendment to the Judiciary Code
• RLPA boss Clint Newton warned that discretionary overriding powers undermine player trust in the existing judiciary process
• Penrith coach Ivan Cleary called the move “disturbing” and criticized the hip-drop rule as vague following a high-profile suspension
• Scott Sorensen received a two-match ban for a hip-drop tackle on Warriors winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak that drew no on-field penalty but triggered a post-match review
• NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo insists the new power is an exceptional insurance policy to correct potential grading errors while preserving judiciary independence