26 Sep 2008

Cronulla coach says grapple tackle row won't affect the ref

6:56 pm on 26 September 2008

Cronulla Sharks coach Ricky Stuart is confident the controversy surrounding the grapple tackle will have no influence on Tony Archer when he referees the NRL preliminary final against Melbourne at Sydney's football stadium tonight.

The controversial tackling technique has dominated discussion in the lead-up to the grand final qualifier, with Storm skipper Cameron Smith suspended for the finals for his head-wrenching hit on Brisbane forward Sam Thaiday last weekend.