Reckless tackling technique ? Nothing wrong with it at all. Westwood just smashed him which goes on in the NRL every week. Hence why the game down under is light years ahead of ours.

If you want to look for a poor tackle, look no further than Griffins cowardly elbow on Harrison at the end of the game. Very Bailey-esque.

Westwood is one of the toughest SOAB's i've ever seen on a field, doesn't give an inch.

You need to take your wire tinted glasses of there was no elbow involved, just a shoulder charge, and you will note the player wasn't knocked out, as i have said this is not the first time i have seen westwood tackle in this way.

I had no problem with the hit at all. My problem or more accurately my concern was the actions after putting him in a potential dangerous position. Not really seen that in the game before, was really getting at if it was just a lapse or some area that needs to be addressed re training. Kirke was ok in this instance but with neck/back injuries could be career ending and debilitating for life.

If you connect head-on-head before there's any contact from the tackler's body then it's definitely reckless technique. Not saying there was any malice in it, but in effect it was a flying headbutt. Add to the fact Westwood has the stump of a hardwood tree on top of his shoulders and it's something he should be warned about.

There's a reason the team he was on finished bottom at quiz night. Nothing wrong with the tackle as he actually got his arms around, Kirke did try some late footwork, which might have led to the head clash.

I don't think Westwood would have realised that Kirke was knocked out at first and was just finishing the tackle. Kirke being put on his back actually allowed the medical staff from both teams to come in and stabilise both sides of his neck and head, administer oxygen etc. more easily.

I dont think Westwood pushed him on purpose (I havent re-watched it though). It happend v quick and dont forget, he also had his head smashed too so could of been dazed for a few seconds

Glad Kirke is ok though, he looked like he had been hit by a car when he was sat on the bench!

A similar hit occurred in the Wigan Saints cup quarter final when Flanagan clashed heads with Lauaki and knocked him clean out. Neither were a great hit. All four could have quite easily come out of the tackles unconscious, Westwood and Flanagan were just fortunate they didn't suffer the same effect.

BTW How useless did Smith look when the doctors were sorting Kirke out? It made me chuckle. Even when they were ordering him about he looked confused.

Kirke said on Twitter that Westwood apologised after https://twitter.com/IanKirke/status/211368311504637952

Kirke said on Twitter that Westwood apologised after https://twitter.com/IanKirke/status/211368311504637952

It certainly wasn't a malicious tackle and shouldn't in any way be punished. Someone should have a quiet word in his ear and just remind to be careful but more than that to get his technique sorted. It was bloody awful tackle technique. He needs to bend his back and get his head to one side, if he'd done that it would have been an even better hit.

I don't think Westwood knew Kirke was out, he was probably a bit dazed himself initially. Credit to Briers for helping Kirke. I think Briers has been a far better player since Tony Smith sorted his attitude and channeled his undoubted skill into better areas.

griffin tackle was a good hit, westwoods was just a head clash not even a hit! and these 'hits' dont happen every week in the nrl and the commentators never appluad it when it happens.

Very poor tackling technique, but no malice in it whatsoever. An unfortunate incident, but it's gone now and thankfully Kirke is ok.

Typical!!!!!!!! AND JJB has loads of brain cells,as for Bailey dont get me started.........

As opposed to Oblong Head himself, JJB who practically has a Hollywood star's cranium

The one thing about that incidient which is frustrating is the fact it was given as a knock on. Whilst yes Kirke dropped the ball, there had been contact with the head from the defender (yes, accidental). Still though, is it not the defenders responsibility to avoid the head of the ball carrier and should the fact there was a head collision mean it should have been play the ball to the attacker rather than a knock on?

Short answer no

Explained answer it is the ball carriers responsibility to keep hold of the ball knocked out or not

Even after there has been clear contact with the ball carrier's head?

Not so sure in that instance that the rule is fair and should perhaps be looked at.

said the exact same thing on the wigan board, its stupid to expect a player knocked out on hes feet to keep hold of the ball.

To be fair, Ben Westwood struggles to run and hold on to the ball at the same time and remembering to breath! Like someone said, there aint much up top!

Nothing wrong with the tackle, or the afters! Hope Ian Kirke is ok, seems to be just one of them hits!

Kirke was making about his 10th hit-up. Top effort. The ball just seemed to keep ending up in his hands.

Westwood has enough up top to play this sport to a high level. Would love it if Leeds had a second rower as good.

Jones-Buchanan has left his rugby smarts in the dressing room this past fortnight. One man defensive rushes are a waste of effort generally and the one where he got in Bailey's way was a mental move and invited Warrington to go the length with ease.

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If you ever get the chance to talk to JJB you'll very soon realise that he's quite a smart cookie. Bailey on the other hand...

Talking about Westwoods head have you noticed that him Sinfeild, Brough,Feilden,and a few more all have the same foreheads,strange that i wonder why and Sinfeilds looks like its getting bigger.

SINFIELD NORMALLY HAS THE PROBLEM OF GETTING HIS HEAD IN HIS CAR

Not saying its right, but thats the rules its happened against us a few times