NRL defends decision to position independent doctors in bunker instead of on sideline for concussion rulings

The NRL has rejected claims that its independent doctor cannot get a feel for the game while in the bunker, reminding coaches that a response to a head knock is not a football decision.

Michael Maguire became the latest mentor to question the NRL's new process on Sunday, claiming confusion in Wests Tigers' loss to Newcastle.

Under the system, spotters sit inside the bunker and mark potential knocks to the head while watching various live angles.

An independent doctor closely reviews a players' response to any marked incidents before communicating to the referee if they need to be taken from the field and assessed for concussion.

The process saw both Victor Radley and Billy Smith ruled out of games in the opening round, despite both Sydney Roosters players claiming they had not suffered a head injury.

Tigers winger David Nofoaluma also claimed he did not know why he was being removed on Sunday, before passing a head injury assessment and later returning.

The incident prompted Maguire to question if having a doctor away from the ground was the right process.

«You have someone who is not here getting a feel for what is going on,» Maguire said.

«Those things need to be sorted out. It definitely needs to be looked at.»

But the NRL's head of football stressed on Monday the feel of the game mattered little in assessing head knocks.

He also pointed out independent doctors were now in a better space to assess reaction to knocks, rather than club doctors viewing a screen on the sideline among the elements and noise of the game.

«These are not football decisions … you don't need a feel for the game,» Annesley said.

«It's not about whether this is a good pass or not. These are medical opinions about how did that player react immediately after