10 Apr 2014

Storm want clarity from NRL on lifting

6:29 am on 10 April 2014

The Melbourne Storm have chosen not to appeal Jordan McLean's seven-match ban following the career-ending injury to Newcastle's back rower Alex McKinnon, but they've urged the NRL to clarify the ruling on lifting tackles.

The NRL's chief executive Dave Smith says they're looking carefully at the specific incident that left 22 year old McKinnon a quadriplegic, but they won't be making any knee-jerk reactions like outlawing lifting tackles mid-season.

Melbourne's chief executive Mark Evans said the Storm supported the current debate, which he said was necessary "given the ambiguity" in the NRL rules.

But, he added, any debate should be conducted with "respect and perspective" due to the serious nature of McKinnon's injury.