Clint Gutherson’s wink a microcosm for NRL rule change cunning and challenge

Premiers Melbourne were looking more and more formidable in Thursday night’s Parramatta storm.

Clint Gutherson’s Eels team was on the rack, forwards exhausted, facing a drop out minutes before half time.

But what the Parramatta fullback did next says everything about rugby league’s widely discussed and often criticised rule changes.

Down getting his ankle strapped, “Gutho” winked.

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Now it’s not clear how bad his ankle injury really was.

He was hobbling a few minutes later but came back after half time without a bandage.

What is indisputable is that the treatment he received bought time for his teammates to recover.

That’s despite a new rule brought in this season designed to prevent players going down injured and the trainer calling for…