Barrie McDermott raises fears for rugby league following recent disciplinary crackdown

Sky Sports pundit and former rugby league hardman Barrie McDermott believes the new laws surrounding high tackles are in danger of spoiling the game.

There has been a huge spate of sending-offs and sinbinnings during the opening month of Super League.

The new rules have seen referees instructed to take decisive action on contact to the head and have been backed up by the judiciary who have imposed lengthy suspensions.

McDermott, no stranger to the disciplinary proceedings during his distinguished by uncompromising playing career, feels the rules are far too stringent.

The popular ex-Leeds Rhinos prop told Rugby League Live: “I can’t remember a more positive start to the season than this year.

“The Channel 4 team are doing a great job to bring Super League to the masses and, along with Sky Sports, helping to grow the game.

“The optimism around a new season with fans back inside stadiums couldn’t have been any better.

“The one blemish around rugby league right now is the red and yellow card situation.

“Prior to the Leeds-Hull FC game on Thursday night, there had been 25 cards in 24 Super League games – four yellow and 21 red – and that’s far too many.

“Listen, a red is a red and it has always been a red.

“The safety of the players in those tackles is paramount and I say this in the full knowledge that I was one of the worst culprits around.

“My stuff was of its time and belongs in that time.

“My generation looked to the Jim Mills' and Kurt Sorensens of this world and we thought they were real roughhouses.

“I’ve no doubt the players of today will look at our era and think it was like the Wild West.

“But I think we’ve done everything we can to get that part of our game right.

“Where I take issue at the moment is with these