Two Super League coaches raise fears of growing cheating and players 'play-acting' to get rivals sent off

Both Ian Watson and Lee Radford have warned of the rising rates of play-acting that are creeping into rugby league following the latest round of Super League action.

Both Huddersfield Giants and Castleford Tigers had two players sin-binned in the 36-24 victory for Watson's side, with the sin-binnings to Danny Levi and Jermaine McGillvary causing particular controversy.

The early stages of the Super League season have seen a number of debatable cards and suspensions being issued, with contact to the head and late tackles being clamped down on both on the field and by Match Review Panel.

But both coaches believe the more severe punishments have heightened the level of simulation within the game, with players looking to get opponents punished to gain their side an advantage.

"I'm going to be a bit controversial here, there's a little bit of gamesmanship creeping in, and the wrong kind from players with people play-acting," Watson said after the Giants' win.

"The game is hard enough to referee without players looking like they've been injured on the back of things. It's a bugbear of mine at the moment. We'll speak to our players about that because we want to win the right way."

Cas counterpart Radford agreed with the Huddersfield adversary, adding that a meeting was set with the RFL on Monday to discuss the matter.

“It’s the only topic on the agenda.

“We were told a week before the season started that we’re going from zero to 100. We’re going from what was a slap on the wrist last year to a grade D and four or five games. Communication would have been key there.

“The influence they’re having on the game is significant.

“If you’re a neutral, it’s great watching. But we’re promoting blokes to roll all over the floor now when