Some schools have considered banning Rugby League from the playground if the NRL refuses to toughen up on on-field violence.

NRL boss David Smith said while it was important to maintain the integrity of the game, it was not as important as players’ safety.

The remarks came when Smith was responding to allegations the crackdown on State of Origin violence was motivated by people with no interest in the game. Smith says there is still no excuse for fighting in sport; “Of course things are going to blow up from time to time but fundamentally there is nowhere on this planet where you can strike someone and get away with it without consequences. I am not taking anything away from the spectacle that is Origin or the competitiveness of it but that doesn't mean you can strike somebody, and if you do there is going to be a consequence, like anywhere else in life.”

One school headmaster reportedly threatened to recommend a ban on schoolyard rugby at a summit of principals, Mr Smith said the NRL was just as dedicated as anyone else to stamping out violence, saying “it is a society-wide issue, and one of those headmasters will be going to a conference of 100 headmasters and they will recommend that rugby league is not played in their schools if we don't get on top of it.”

The headmaster in question is reportedly satisfied at the NRL’s response.