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Last weekend, Rooster Isabelle Kelly and Tiger Brooke Talataina were both sent to the sin bin for hip drop tackles.<\/p>\n
Sharks captain Tiana Penitani-Gray and Wests Tigers lock Holli Wheeler both said inconsistencies in the interpretation of the tackle, along with a short pre-season, were the reasons the game was seeing a rise in the illegal tackles.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhere I think the problem is is the inconsistency (of the) refereeing week-to-week,\u201d Tiana Penitani Gray said on NRLW on Fox. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe inconsistencies are really killing us at the moment. One week it\u2019s a send-off, and then the next weekend it\u2019s not even a penalty, but they\u2019re referred to the judiciary, and they\u2019re suspended,\u201d Wheeler added.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere needs to be a bit more clarity around what exactly they\u2019re looking at.\u201d<\/p>\n
Why hip drops are increasing in the NRLW | 02:56<\/p>\n
MORE NRL NEWS<\/p>\n
THE RUN HOME: Storm\u2019s only hope of saving historic run; shock top-two surge<\/a><\/p>\n \u2018THINK IT\u2019S CURTAINS\u2019: Massive DCE call tipped as reason behind shake-up revealed<\/a><\/p>\n TEAM LISTS: Benji\u2019s huge Doueihi call revealed; Cleary swings the axe<\/a><\/p>\n Penitani-Gray said a short pre-season was also playing a big role because players aren\u2019t getting enough time to practice their tackle technique before Round 1.<\/p>\n \u201cIn terms of tackle technique, it actually speaks to us needing a longer pre-season to have tackle practice because you can train and do as much running as you want all off-season, but you don\u2019t get that collision and that tackle practice,\u201d Penitani-Gray said. <\/p>\n \u201cYou get a six-week block of being able to do that, and if you\u2019re not fit and healthy during that six-week block it takes more time out.<\/p>\n \u201cSome of those girls who are fatigued, or don\u2019t have the best tackle technique and are getting beaten, are having to drop their weight.\u201d<\/p>\n Wheeler predicted there would be fewer hip drop tackles as the players gain match fitness and aren\u2019t tackling under as fatigue. <\/p>\n \u201cIt comes down to fitness, so moving forward, hopefully we won\u2019t see as many now,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n Tiana Penitani Gray speaks about hip drop tackles in the NRLWSource: FOX SPORTS<\/p>\n TALKING POINTS: Forgotten part of Tigers mess; Wayne\u2019s looming contract call<\/a><\/p>\n CRAWLS: \u2018Get over it\u2019: Why Tigers, and NRL, must draw line in sand with Doueihi<\/a><\/p>\n DOUEIHI LANDING SPOTS: Big Madge hint… and rival to land bitter Benji blow<\/a><\/p>\n