NSW Origin enforcer Greg Bird says he must completely change his tackling technique to keep off the NRL sidelines.

Bird is currently serving a two-match suspension for his lifting tackle on Gold Coast clubmate Nate Myles in last week’s final interstate showdown.

It was his second ban for a dangerous lifting hit this season and the loading from his first suspension resulted in an extra week’s punishment, ruling him out of Sunday’s clash with Newcastle at a jam-packed Hunter Stadium.

A Newcastle junior, Bird is upset to missing such a crucial match to the Titans diminishing finals hopes as well as the occasion in the “Rise for Alex” round.

The 29-year-old secretly visited Alex McKinnon in hospital after the young Knights forward was tragically injured in a three-man lifting tackle against the Melbourne Storm.

Bird has previously spoken about his frustrations with the laws surrounding lifting tackles, arguing none of his dangerous throws have been intentional.

But the Titans co-captain admitted on Thursday the onus was now on him to comply with the NRL’s crackdown.

“That’s the be-all and end-all, there’s no tinkering with it; I just have to completely change my tackle technique,” Bird said.

“It’s frustrating but that’s the way the game’s going.”

Bird said it was uplifting to see how well the wheelchair-bound McKinnon has bounced back from his devastating spinal injury but wished he could be part of Sunday’s occasion.

“I’m very disappointed,” he said. “You always like to go back to your home town and play where your family can go and watch.

“That’s one thing but with the occasion as well for Alex, it’s going to be a spectacle, not only on the field but off the field and in the community of Newcastle.”