WIRE boss Sam Burgess said a simple rule change could stop play acting creeping into the game.

Both Lachlan Fitzgibbon and Matty Lees were shown early yellow cards after long stoppages in a first half.

Both after they were referred to the video referee.

Josh Thewlis was also given a yellow card on the hooter for a professional foul by referee Chris Kendall.

Burgess said the situation was 'comical' and could be stopped by making players miss games if they stay down too long.

He added: "I don’t know what we are doing. The game stopped for five and a half minutes for the first card (For Lachlan Fitzgibbon). But then the player gives the thumbs up and plays on. If you have to stop for five and a half minutes, do we not have concussion protocol? That would stop players staying down.

"If you stay down for a period of time, it is a category one in the NRL. There would be less wingers and outside backs staying down if they know it is a category one."

He said it was 'clear to see play acting' was creeping in and said if players knew staying down would see them unable to play the following week due to protocols, it would stamp the problem out.

He added: "I don’t want to go down this rabbit hole. But this is a tough game and I am not questioning that and everyone who is on the field had got an element of toughness about them. But they are playing within the rules, we all see them. Players are understanding that there are loopholes.

"I think if staying down for a certain period of time meant category one. It would be pretty simple. We had this in the NRL and it stopped this pretty quick. Category one means out for 11 days. You watch how quickly they stop staying down because everyone wants to play next week.

"It is a quick fix. Unless you are out cold which you very rarely see these days because the game has never been safer. The game has never been safe for recovery protocols, concussion protocols, player safety, players looking after each other, it has never been safer. The amount of time off they need, sports science, the game has never been safer. Let’s put it if you are down for a certain period of time, category one, see you later. You have to stand down. I can’t help but be honest about the game I care about so much, I feel it will change pretty quick if we can take those steps."