Overnight Wrap

Brisbane chief executive Bruno Cullen has warned the NRL not to lose focus of the traditional grapple tackle after introducing rules to punish the new crusher technique.

NRL judiciary chairman Greg Woods yesterday revised directions in relation to what is considered a grapple tackle after several incidents in the spiteful Melbourne - Brisbane clash last Sunday.

While a grapple tackle places direct pressure with an arm on the head or neck, the crusher technique recently detected involves using the body to apply pressure on the head or spinal region. Woods has amended the judiciary guidelines to be able to punish such tackles from this weekend onwards.

But Broncos boss Cullen says the NRL should increase the number of suspensions for grapple tackles to deter players from using the illegal tactic.

North Queensland will decide this morning whether to challenge the Sione Faumuina's reckless high tackle charge at the judiciary tonight.

Faumuina has been charged with a grade two reckless high tackle on Penrith hooker Luke Priddis, with the former New Zealand international facing a five-match ban with an early guilty plea, or seven games if he pleads not guilty and is unsuccessful at the judiciary.

The Cowboys may yet decide to plead guilty but attempt to have the charge downgraded, hoping to knock a few games off the ban to allow Faumuina the chance of playing in the first round of the finals.

Five games would rule him out until at least the third week of the playoffs should the fourth placed Cowboys make the preliminary final.

Cronulla players Paul Gallen, Reece Williams, Greg Bird and Dustin Cooper have all been involved in physical altercations with each other after celebrating the club's win over Parramatta last Saturday night.

It has been alleged Gallen and Williams had a punch up while Bird and Cooper had to be pulled apart by teammates in separate incidents that occurred at former Shark Josh Hannay's house.

Gallen confirmed the incident had occurred but says everybody had moved on from the matter.

Newcastle skipper Danny Buderus is set to make his comeback from Achilles and knee injuries when the Knights host Penrith on Sunday.

Buderus has missed a month with the Achilles tendonitis and a medial ligament strain, with the Knights losing six successive games to fall in danger of finishing with the wooden spoon.

Sunday's clash with Penrith could decide which of those two sides finishes last this season.