NRL head of football Graham Annesley says independent doctors would continue removing players from matches and declared the reason clubs wanted a third party to make HIA calls was because they don’t trust each other.
The role of the NRL’s independent doctors was thrust into the spotlight after they called five players, including Newcastle’s Kalyn Ponga, Canberra’s Sebastian Kris and Canterbury’s Jacob Kiraz, from the field for HIAs.
A further 14 players were taken off for HIAs by club doctors and Raiders coach Ricky Stuart and Dolphins mentor Wayne Bennett were among those to claim there was no need for independent medicos.