Leaked NRL email reveals concern over lack of sin bin calls for high contact

A leaked email has revealed the NRL's concern over the lack of sin bin calls on the weekend for high contact.

Jarome Luai, Jordan Riki, Tom Gilbert and Reed Mahoney all stayed on the field before later accepting either fines or suspensions for high tackles in their respective games.

The NRL's head of football Graham Annesley revealed match officials had failed to correctly use the sin bin to punish players over contact with the head.

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It's understood at least two referees are facing the sack following their failure to act.

"There were several incidents of foul play in round four where on-field action by match officials fell short of the policy that has been in place for several seasons," the email read.

"Of particular concern, on four occasions the sin bin was not used for incidents involving direct forceful contact with the head/neck of opponents.

"The lack of appropriate on-field action in these cases should not be seen as a precedent for future similar incidents.

"Match officials have been shown these incidents today [Monday] to reinforce their errors in applying the NRL policy, and clubs should expect the required standard to be implemented throughout the remainder of the season.

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"A further matter of concern so far this season has been the increased incidence of shoulder to head contact by defenders.

"This is a tackling technique issue that needs to be addressed, and players must lower their target area to avoid the risk of contact with the head/neck of opponents."

The NRL cut Annesley's weekly Monday media briefing this year, where he would address the contentious officiating issues from the weekend, because it was said to be having an impact on referees.