Former Queensland hero Chris “Choppy Close” has urged Wednesday night’s second State of Origin clash at the MCG to be refereed under the same rules as NRL club games.
Speaking out before the big clash, Close said the Wild West days of Origins games being officiated with more leniency given to players, were “well and truly” over.
Close played in those wild days when Origins were refereed under a different set of rules to the club games.
But he said given the worldwide medical evidence coming out almost weekly about the long-term consequences of head knocks and concussions, players need to be better protected.
“We can’t go along maiming our stars,” said Fog #5 who played alongside Arthur Beetson, Wally Lewis and Mal Meninga in the very first Origin game at Lang Park in 1980.
“Administrators have to rid the game of head contact, If they don’t, then they are derelict in their duty.
“In the early days, we could make excuses, we didn’t know back then what we know now.”
Much has been said and written since Walsh was obliterated in the Sua’ali’i tackle.
Close said he wasn’t pointing fingers.
But he was adamant that the size, speed, power and strength of the modern-day player meant the game’s governors had a responsibility to look after the player’s welfare.
“We have a duty of care to police and eliminate contact with the head in our game.
“We can’t keep maiming our star players who the fans come to watch.
"We know the consequences now, no more excuses.
We’ve drawn a line in the sand and it’s the best thing that could have happened for rugby league and those who play it.”
“We can no longer differentiate between NRL and Origin games, they have to be refereed with the same consistency.
“It doesn’t make players softer because they don’t punch each other or take someone’s head of, it’s a different era and a different game.
“We’ve got a great spectacle at the moment. The game is very tough, and very fast.
“You’ve got super-sized athletes going into battle every day. The legal hits today are far, far harder than they were in days gone by.
“We’ve got a great game, you don’t need to put your dukes up, those days are well and truly gone.
“Bury it, leave it behind.”
Meanwhile Close said Walsh wouldn’t be “gun shy” on Wednesday night despite copping a few bad hits in the head this year.
“He will run out on Wednesday night and do exactly what he always does and give it everything he’s got,” said Close.
Meanwhile Close warned anything less than 100 percent effort from Queensland may not be enough to wrap up the series at the MCG with the Blues making some key changes.
He said the Blues looked more dangerous with the inclusion game-breaking South Sydney centre Latrell Mitchell and with Penrith’s in-form Dylan Edwards at fullback after rookie coach Michael Maguire pensioned off 23-game veteran James Tedesco.
Forced to play one man down for 73 minutes in Sydney the Blue’s showed some good signs during the game when a few of their players didn’t fire.
“I thought NSW lifted after they has a player sent-off,” said Close who terrorised NSW in the early years of Origin.
“They played some pretty good rugby league for a side who had 12 men.
“There were times when Queensland dropped off and NSW looked like they could get back into the game.
“They will need to be at the best to take the series, otherwise it is going to be a tough night."
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