Manly back-rower Justin Horo believes tackling has become “confusing” as the NRL looks to make its second major defensive change this season.

Having already banned the third man from tackling around the knees just weeks before the start of the season, the NRL on Wednesday announced that any player who lifted an opponent into a dangerous position would face a lengthy suspension.

While the NRL has fallen short of banning the lifting tackle, it has reacted to the serious injury suffered by Newcastle forward Alex McKinnon.

These adjustments came after the shoulder charge was banned last year. Horo said the constant changes made it challenging for players.

“We kind of learnt about the cannonball tackle four weeks before the comp started and we had to readjust the way we defened,” he said. “Now we are going to have to do it again. It’s making it really difficult to tackle.

“You don’t want to see the situation which happened to Alex. Sometimes you think the NRL need to relax. If people are put in a dangerous position then penalise them, if not, they are making it really difficult to tackle.”

A second or third defender in a tackle will also come under heightened scrutiny under the new interpretation of the rule. Horo said it takes time to adjust to changed ruilings.

“You practice all off-season and to start the season one way,” he said. “Now we have to readjust certain defensive techniques that we have to go back and have a look at. Ideally, you’d want to be concentrating on other things this time of the year. It’s a little bit of a distraction.

“All teams have to adjust, so we’ll see how we go.”

Meanwhile, Manly teammate Jamie Buhrer said the Sea Eagles were wary of the underperforming Cowboys, whom they face at Central Coast Stadium on Friday night.

The Cowboys have won just two of their opening six games while the Sea Eagles have lost two.

“They are a bit surprising,” Buhrer said. “They’ve got a great team. We will be expecting a tough game.

“[Johnathan Thurston] is the premier player in the competition. We have prepared for him. We know what he can do. We’ve got some things in place that we’ll look to do.”

Manly centre Steve Matai has struggled after breaking his nose in the Sea Eagles 24-4 last start win against Cronulla but is expected to play.