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'Beginning of the end' - Shock RFU tackle change rocks English rugby
By Ian Cameron
There has been a largely negative reaction to the Rugby Football Union’s decision to change the tackle height to the waistline in amateur rugby in England – one of the most radical changes to the amateur game ever made in the history of the sport.
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From 1 July 2023, all players at age grade and adult amateur level in England will be required to tackle from the waistline or lower.
The chief concern for many is that arguably rugby’s most fundamental defining characteristic – its physicality – is being drastically denuded.
Others questioned if the move would actually reduce instances of concussion, which the RFU believe it will.
Former Wales prop Lee Jarvis wrote: “100 per cent for player safety BUT if you lower the tackle to waist or below, then you are going to get even more injuries/concussions with knees to face/head. Players need to have a tackle choice to protect themselves as well?”
💯 % for player safety 👏 BUT if you lower the tackle to waist or below, then you are going to get even more injuries / concussions with knees to face / head. Players need to have a tackle choice to protect themselves as well ? https://t.co/WlMLddaHcr
— 𝐋𝐞𝐞 𝐉𝐚𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐬 (@LeeJarvis10) January 19, 2023
Rugby writer Sam Peters, a vocal concussion reduction advocate, appeared sceptical of the decision: “I understand the RFU has voted to implement the below waist tackle trial from start of next season. All forms of game from National One and below. No peer reviewed evidence to explain reasoning for decision. Previous similar trial (below nipple) increased concussion frequency.”
I understand the RFU has voted to implement the below waist tackle trial from start of next season. All forms of game from National One and below. No peer reviewed evidence to explain reasoning for decision. Previous similar trial (below nipple) increased concussion frequency.
— Sam Peters (@PlantedSam) January 18, 2023
Some fear that it has created a two tier game in which players are effectively playing two very different sports, thus hindering the development of amateur players into the professional ranks.
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The Eggchasers Podcast wrote: “RFU moving tackle height to waist from next season from level 3 down: They’ve just created 2 different sports. For “player welfare”? Those affected are AMATEUR, not physical mutants as in pros, engaging voluntarily as they might horse riding, sky diving or skiing. Farcical.”
RFU moving tackle height to waist from next season from level 3 down:
They've just created 2 different sports. For "player welfare"?
Those affected are AMATEUR, not physical mutants as in pros, engaging voluntarily as they might horse riding, sky diving or skiing.
Farcical.
— Jonathan Beardmore (@RugbyPodcast) January 19, 2023
One Leicester Tigers fan even called for a protest over the new Laws: “Football fans stopped the super league by organised protest. These changes from the RFU fundamentally threaten rugby overall and as a community game. Those that attend six nations matches are largely from the community game. Time for a protest?”
Football fans stopped the super league by organised protest. These changes from the @rfu fundamentally threaten rugby overall and as a community game. Those that attend six nations matches are largely from the community game. Time for a protest? @RugbyPodcast @mauloverpodcast
— Duncan Keene (@KeeneTiger) January 19, 2023
Not all the reaction was negative. World Rugby CEO Alan Gilpin rowed in behind the decision in a statement: “In line with our six-point plan to make rugby the most progressive sport on player welfare, last year World Rugby opened discussions with unions about lowering the tackle height in the community game around the globe.
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“At those meetings unions were presented with findings from trials that have taken place in France and South Africa as well as initial data from rugby specific studies using smart mouthguard.
“Discussions with unions have progressed well and formal proposals to be applied around the world are expected to be presented to our Executive Board in March. We welcome the RFU taking these proactive steps, rugby will never stand still when it comes to player welfare and this is a prime example of the sport, once again, putting our words into action.”
From the little rugby I've played-ive witnessed concussions when the head meets the pelvic bone-so technic is all good below,but if the ball carrier changes his body position when the tackler is in the process of tackling it is very effective in knocking the tackler out- I've seen one player on our team use this technic effectively to knock out would be tacklers.
This will be overturned. Usually when you see reaction this overwhelmingly negative, the org backtracks.
Honestly don't know how much they help but I'd be for requiring scrum caps over this move, that's how bad this move is.
No one is forced to play rugby its your choice, everyone now knows the potential issues. If this is so serious why allow top tier to remain the same?
I hope this doesn't lead to more head injuries for the tackler.
You take a calculated risk when you cross the road or do anything in life, rugby, boxing etc are no different.
Why not just move to touch and be done with it?
France implemented this 3 years ago and has seen concussions reduced by 60% at a time when their national side has also been hugely successful.
If that is “the beginning of the end of rugby” then bring it on.
Or, to put it another way, people need to grow up and recognise that rugby needs to protect its players if it wants to continue as a sport.
just say your a winger mate
I find it strange that you would associate Frances international success to an amateur law change, also having a 60% drop in concussions was inevitable seeing that there was a pandemic and almost no rugby was being played.
I can promise you this though, the RFU and any other union for that matter do not care about player welfare one single bit. To them it's all about money, players are collateral damage. I said this on another site, If WR and co. really cared about the players safety then instead of changing the laws they would reduce the amount of games being played but we all know that is never going to happen. Why? Again, it's all about the money.