NRL boss Dave Smith says he is reluctant to tinker with the State of Origin schedule despite criticism that it’s harming the NRL competition.

Canterbury coach Des Hasler took aim at power brokers following his weakened team’s loss to Gold Coast on Sunday, claiming the NRL became irrelevant during the Origin period and demanding officials fast-track a solution.

Smith said on Monday finding a schedule solution that worked well for both the Origin series and the NRL competition was a balancing act.

But he did not expect to change it any time soon, describing Origin as the “jewel in the crown”.

Asked if Hasler could expect to be fined over his comments on Sunday, Smith said: “That’s Des being Des”.