THE NRL needs to put its foot down on the pathetic play-the-balls which are influencing games because the players certainly aren’t.

The NRL and the international rules governing the “play-the-ball” require the tackled player to get to his feet, for the ball to touch the ground and for it then be heeled backwards by the tackle player.

In fact the wording of the rule, approved by the Australian Rugby League Commission in February 2016, clearly states the tackled player “must heel the ball backwards”.

LIVE stream the 2017 NRL Telstra Premiership on FOX SPORTS. Get your free 2-week Foxtel Now trial and start watching in minutes. SIGN UP NOW!

While it is up to the referee(s) to make a judgment call or to interpret play-the-balls, it is generally accepted that as long as the tackled player makes an attempt at the “heeling” motion, it passes muster.

But the play-the-ball has become a joke and officials need to act now to clean it up before the NRL finals roll around.

Players are putting the ball on the ground and rolling it back with no attempt to use their foot.

Others put the ball on the ground and just step over it. They are getting away with the tactics more and more.

It’s been an area of concern all season.

But in recent weeks the practice has escalated to a point where more than 50 per cent of play-the-balls to do not comply with the rule.

It allows teams to get an unfair roll-on over their rivals and some players have perfected the rolling play-the-ball like touch football.

Ben Ikin, Nathan Ryan and Ben Glover are joined by player-manager Mario Tartak to discuss Benji Marshall, Sam Kasiano and who the NRL’s next super coach might be.

You can also subscribe via iTunes or for Android users, listen on the iPP Podcast Player app.

During last night’s clash between Parramatta and the Bulldogs there were more than 100 instances where players made little or no attempt to use their foot in the play-the-ball.

During one set midway through the second half the Eels went the whole five tackles without a player complying with the rule.

Despite this there was not one play-the-ball penalty.

If the NRL and referees continue to turn a blind eye to illegal play-the-balls they could have a serious problem when their showpiece finals arrive with players conditioned to rolling the ball between their legs.

A crack down is required.

Nothing fixes a problem as quickly than a few penalties and the whistle blowers need to get the message across the players who are and who will continue to blatantly abuse the rule.