Lee Radford laments communication timing from RFL over tackle changes for 2022

Lee Radford believes the communication from the Rugby Football League over the reported clampdown on late and head-high tackles could have been better and admits it is going to be a challenge to coach players to approach the game differently at such short notice.

Super League was arguably overshadowed by a number of disciplinary issues on the opening weekend of the season. Three players were given red cards, while nine in total were banned by the Match Review Panel in light of the first round of fixtures.

Radford revealed he and Castleford hadn't been informed of an increased focus in penalising players who perform late hits on attackers until after their pre-season friendlies and says with that in mind, it is going to take a while to implement a change in attitude among players.

"For the younger blokes in our squad, they've been taught since Academy to go and get the ball player if they go into their contact area," he said.

"To then tell them now that they've got to stop doing that is a habit they and we are going to have to break. Could that have been directed to us in October and enabled us to have a full pre-season to practice it? Definitely." When asked how late in pre-season Castleford were notified of the changes, Radford said: "Later than the friendlies, shall we say.

"We can all be better with our communications but if a decision is made in November, it's important the footage to support it goes out in November, not after our second friendly. There has been communication but could it have been better? Definitely."

Radford did admit, though, that he had sympathy with the governing body in their battle to offer more protection for players in the tackle.

"It's a really difficult situation the game is in," he said.