Reckless tackling technique ? Nothing wrong with it at all. Westwood just smashed him which goes on in the NRL every week. Hence why the game down under is light years ahead of ours.

If you want to look for a poor tackle, look no further than Griffins cowardly elbow on Harrison at the end of the game. Very Bailey-esque.

Westwood is one of the toughest SOAB's i've ever seen on a field, doesn't give an inch.

You need to take your wire tinted glasses of there was no elbow involved, just a shoulder charge, and you will note the player wasn't knocked out, as i have said this is not the first time i have seen westwood tackle in this way.

I had no problem with the hit at all. My problem or more accurately my concern was the actions after putting him in a potential dangerous position. Not really seen that in the game before, was really getting at if it was just a lapse or some area that needs to be addressed re training. Kirke was ok in this instance but with neck/back injuries could be career ending and debilitating for life.

If you connect head-on-head before there's any contact from the tackler's body then it's definitely reckless technique. Not saying there was any malice in it, but in effect it was a flying headbutt. Add to the fact Westwood has the stump of a hardwood tree on top of his shoulders and it's something he should be warned about.

There's a reason the team he was on finished bottom at quiz night. Nothing wrong with the tackle as he actually got his arms around, Kirke did try some late footwork, which might have led to the head clash.

I don't think Westwood would have realised that Kirke was knocked out at first and was just finishing the tackle. Kirke being put on his back actually allowed the medical staff from both teams to come in and stabilise both sides of his neck and head, administer oxygen etc. more easily.

I dont think Westwood pushed him on purpose (I havent re-watched it though). It happend v quick and dont forget, he also had his head smashed too so could of been dazed for a few seconds

Glad Kirke is ok though, he looked like he had been hit by a car when he was sat on the bench!

A similar hit occurred in the Wigan Saints cup quarter final when Flanagan clashed heads with Lauaki and knocked him clean out. Neither were a great hit. All four could have quite easily come out of the tackles unconscious, Westwood and Flanagan were just fortunate they didn't suffer the same effect.

BTW How useless did Smith look when the doctors were sorting Kirke out? It made me chuckle. Even when they were ordering him about he looked confused.

Kirke said on Twitter that Westwood apologised after https://twitter.com/IanKirke/status/211368311504637952

Kirke said on Twitter that Westwood apologised after https://twitter.com/IanKirke/status/211368311504637952

It certainly wasn't a malicious tackle and shouldn't in any way be punished. Someone should have a quiet word in his ear and just remind to be careful but more than that to get his technique sorted. It was bloody awful tackle technique. He needs to bend his back and get his head to one side, if he'd done that it would have been an even better hit.

I don't think Westwood knew Kirke was out, he was probably a bit dazed himself initially. Credit to Briers for helping Kirke. I think Briers has been a far better player since Tony Smith sorted his attitude and channeled his undoubted skill into better areas.

griffin tackle was a good hit, westwoods was just a head clash not even a hit! and these 'hits' dont happen every week in the nrl and the commentators never appluad it when it happens.

Very poor tackling technique, but no malice in it whatsoever. An unfortunate incident, but it's gone now and thankfully Kirke is ok.

Typical!!!!!!!! AND JJB has loads of brain cells,as for Bailey dont get me started.........

As opposed to Oblong Head himself, JJB who practically has a Hollywood star's cranium