So round one of the new interchange rule and it seems Catalans have figured out a way to gain an advantage.
I joked after about twenty minutes that they seemed to have forgotten the new rules as they were making interchanges as per last season.
However, it seems they knew exactly what they were doing. Their tactic is to take advantage of the concussion interchange. Twice, players were stripped and ready to replace a “concussed” player before the physio/doctor was even on the field and without any kind of sign the player was concussed, until of course the physio ran up to him on the field patting his head (they didn’t even have a subtle secret sign). Of course, both payers passed the concussion test and returned to the field after the maximum time allowed. One even had a fourteen minute rest just before half time, returning for the kick-off to the second half. In effect, Catalans had four additional interchanges last night.
It wasn’t subtle and it was a clear case of abusing the concussion interchanges to gain an advantage. So what can be done to stop clubs doing this? There’s no point reducing interchanges if it’s possible to get around the rules.

Good post. It doesn't surprise me one bit that Catalans would do this. As for what can be done ? I don't know. How do you know when it's genuine or not?

Lets hope that this is picked up on and then action is taken.
Would they say that it was "just coincidence" that they were about to replace someone or was it indeed blatant cheating.

It’s something the RFL are going to have to investigate. Given what Catalans were like with their players faking injuries last season I have no doubt they would do something like this as well.

If they are doing it then it needs a massive punishment from the RFL for the club, the coach, the players and the physio/doctors involved.

Let's be fair, it wont just be Catalan.
Also, although the head test is a hugely serious matter, I wonder what the numbers are for players not being allowed to return. They are very few and far between, apart from the really obvious instances where players can barely stand/walk off the field.

Good post NT.



I'm sure this will be investigated by the RFL. It is just a case of someone making them aware of Catalans indiscretion.

Perhaps altering the rules so if the player fails a test then the interchange is wiped, but if they pass then it's considered as one of the 8 substitutions allowed as per any other injury.

Catalans were indeed a disgrace last season and it sounds like this one's going to be no different. I really don't know how there can be 100% proof of faking though. Yes, you can point towards their subs being warmed up and ready for the switch but they'll soon find a way round that as soon as it's scrutinized.

I agree, in the same way as it wasn’t just Catalans who were faking injuries, it’s just they took it to a new level last season and by the sounds of it have taken the abuse of the concussion interchanges to a new level already.

If they are doing that then there will be evidence of it as the season progresses so let’s punish the worst offender at least.

That would be the easiest and most sensible way to handle it

However could then discourage players from admitting they may have concussion or some symptoms of it.

Subs being warmed up and ready, the time and nature of when the player goes off. All games are recorded for the disciplinary so scrutinise the tackles that apparently caused the concussion.

I agree it’s not easy but I think this is an important area of the game and needs proper oversight otherwise you have to get rid of the concussion protocols.

If the RFL were to severely punish the club, the players, the head coach and the staff involved that should provide enough incentive to not do it. A head coach isn’t going to risk a year ban for instance or players a 3/4 month.

They do that anyway but are over ruled by the doctor/physio.

Whilst they’re at it, they need to look at the attacking player stepping over the tackler, deliberately fouling the ruck, and winning a penalty for it. Another of Catalans cynical tactics.

They did it last night - Teirney been the worst culprit. James Child fell for it several times.

I think the giveaway was the fact the physio ran onto the field towards the player who was going to be replaced patting his head as a signal to the player to stop. It was so bloody obvious I’m surprised the off-field officials didn’t notice.

Yeah, this is the worst aspect in a nutshell. Catalans will ultimately weaken player protections if they carry on with this. The other coaches need to pressurize MacNamara over the issue too.

One of the "concussed" Catalan players even sprinted off the pitch!

2 easy ways to counter it:
Independant concussion doctor makes the call
The free sub is when you lose the player to concussion.

Example of the current rule being wrong is Cas lost McMeeken AND a sub early in the game due to concussion, Catalan got 2 free subs by faking needing a concussion test. So in essence they had 3 extra interchanges and an extra man on the bench.

Correct,and next time anyone tries it, they should be penalised for moving off the mark.

A good answer to solve this has already been given. If the player comes back on after a head test, then it
should be counted as an interchange. That'll stop the fakers.

This is one of my real bug bears & is embarrassing when referees fall for it. It seems that the quest for a speedy game has led to referees refusing to enforce certain rules against the attacking team.

Stand by for 3 Catalans players taking head knocks with 10 mins to go...and all miraculously passing the 6 day assessment just in time for next week's game...

Ha ha nice one, I never thought of that.

There were loads of these instances at the start of last season and following a bit of "outrage" from various quarters, it stopped.
Huddersfield were "fine exponents" of playing the ball (and passing/ throwing it) into an offside player, usually passing/ throwing the ball downwards, clearly not towards another player.
Sometimes this is fair enough but, they (and others) were taking the P., again, this stopped after a couple of rounds.

Likewise Wigan lost Clubb 2 minutes after he was subbed on, so essentially lost 2 subs and the man from this.