SONNY BILL WILLIAMS, the undisputed king of the shoulder charge, has pleaded for NRL officials not to ban the controversial tackle, declaring: "We're not playing netball".
The shoulder charge is the hottest topic in the game after Karmichael Hunt broke Braith Anasta's nose in a sickening collision during Brisbane's win over the Roosters on Friday night. The hit comes one week after Riley Brown's infamous "prowler" tackle sidelined South Sydney recruit Craig Wing for three months.
As debate rages over the shoulder charge, Williams called for officials not to rob the game of one of its most spectacular sights.
"It's a contact sport, we're not playing netball," Williams told The Sun-Herald. "It's pretty mad to see. From a fan's perspective, they love the big hits and collision.
"That's what makes rugby league so good to watch, the big collision, the big men. I know when I see big hits, whether they be shoulder charges or just tackles, the feeling inside is 'Ooh, that's pretty sore!'.
"At the end of the day the game is played for the fans and that's what they love seeing. They love seeing big collisions. People get injured in different ways, sometimes just from normal tackles.
"There's a lot of talk about the injuries in the last couple of weeks with the shoulder charges, but it's all part of the game."
Williams said he'd be disappointed if his signature move was ever deemed illegal - but would comply with any law changes.
"I've adapted to different situations before and I'm pretty sure I can do it again," he said.
"If the shoulder charge gets outlawed, it gets outlawed. I'm confident that's not all I have to offer."
Anasta may require rhinoplasty at the end of the season as a result of the Hunt hit, but the Roosters pivot bears no ill feelings. In fact, Anasta even offered to help Hunt at the judiciary should the Broncos fullback be cited by the NRL's match review committee.
"I don't remember much to tell you the truth, I just remember someone holding my nose after it," Anasta said of the tackle yesterday.
"I've watched it over [on replay] and I slipped in it. I was off balance and he just got me with a good shot.
"He apologised to me straight afterwards so I respect him for that.
"It wasn't intentional, you can tell.
"That's footy. It's a physical sport and these things happen. If you sit back and complain you shouldn't be playing. Simple as that. I'll help him out if he needs me [at the judiciary]."
Anasta echoed Williams's sentiments, describing a well-executed shoulder charge as one of the highlights of the game.
"The shoulder charge is part of rugby league, it's great for the game - but obviously not in the head," Anasta said.
"If you watch old Origin games, that's what pumps you up, all those big shoulder charges. It's part of rugby league, it's part of our history and part of our game and something that should always be there."
Anasta was hopeful of being fit for Saturday's home clash with the Storm on Saturday night.
"I'll turn up next week and hopefully it's healed enough to let me play," he said.
"If I need any [other surgery] at the end of they year, I'll get a nose job as well while I'm at it.
"I'm not prepared to miss any games now."
Another big talking point from the torrid SFS encounter was video referee Steve Clark's denial of a Sean Kenny-Dowall try for obstruction. Even the Broncos camp was mystified by the decision.
"It was a try, mate," Anasta insisted. "We've scored that try five times and never had a problem with it. It's all about the [opposition] centre and Justin Hodges made the wrong decision. It should have been a try, no doubt about it.
"No one knows if we need to change because no one knows the rules. It was clear everyone was confused about that, but I'm thinking the third umpire, or whatever you want to call him, is confused as well.
"To the naked eye it's a clear cut try but then they find something wrong with it. It's like you can find something wrong with any try these days."
Another complaint from both sides was the speed of the game, which was compromised by the fact knock-ons and strips were also sent to the video referee for adjudication.
