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Canterbury prop James Graham has been ordered by the NRL to stop covering the backs of his legs with swathes of vaseline.
The NRL have ordered Canterbury prop James Graham to stop coating the backs of his legs in swathes of vaseline, following claims the action goes against the spirit of the game.
The England international has been a big success since his arrival at the Bulldogs from St Helens at the start of the season.
However, questions have been raised about the legitimacy of the front-rower covering his legs with the product, a tactic designed to not only make it hard for opponents to tackle him, but also leave them with greasy hands, making it difficult to hold on to the ball.
Gold Coast prop Nate Myles made a point of rubbing vaseline into Graham's face after pinning down the former England captain during his side's 25-14 win over the Bulldogs in last Friday's NRL double-header at Suncorp Stadium.
And rival clubs have privately said the 26-year-old should not be allowed to continue the practice.
Assistant referees chief Stuart Raper confirmed that officials have been powerless to act against Graham as there was nothing in the rules to prevent him from continuing the act, despite complaints from opposing players on the field.
"There's not much we can do," Raper told AAP.
"The NRL make the rules, we just enforce them it is up to them to make the call."
NRL Director of Football Operations Nathan McGurk told AAP he met with Canterbury's chief executive Todd Greenberg this week and the matter had now been resolved.
"There is nothing in the rules regarding it, but I have spoken to Todd and we've come to an agreement we are both comfortable with," McGurk said.
McGurk said there had been no formal complaint to the NRL from rival clubs but said action had to be taken to outlaw the practice as a matter of commonsense.
"James can continue putting vaseline on his legs, as can every player, but he won't be coating it on like he has been," he said.
"It's a very minor matter, and something that can be quickly resolved and we believe it has been."
Greenberg and Graham, who will face Cronulla at ANZ Stadium on Monday, were both unavailable for comment.
