Premiership-winning forward and former Kangaroo Paul Gallen has called on the NRL to copy a kick-off rule in America’s NFL and introduce the “safe catch” rule after an ugly incident in the opening moments of the semi-final at Allianz Stadium on Saturday night.

Sydney Roosters enforcer Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, in possession of the ball, charged into Manly outside back Tolu Koula – knocking the speedster out cold.

“We can’t stop the kick-off, that is ridiculous,” Gallen told the Wide World of Sports.

“It’s the way the rugby league game is and we only see these incidents rarely.

“We’ve probably only seen a couple of them this year.

“As far as banning the kick off, there’s absolutely no way they can do that.”

The Roosters play the Melbourne Storm at AAMI Park this weekend for a spot in the 2024 grand final.