Retro Peter Stringer tackle on Jonah Lomu goes viral after high tackle debate

The World Cup is only a week old and already the topic of high tackles has been discussed ad nauseam. The most keenly discussed tackle so far has been Reece Hodge’s hit on Peceli Yato, which saw the Australian cop a three-week ban. 

Clive Woodward caused a stir when he said on Twitter that the tackle was no more than a yellow, claiming how hard it is to stop someone as powerful as the Fijian by wrapping your arms around him. 

Although Hodge’s offence was primarily making contact with the head, rather than a no-arms tackle, many people took objection to this, including former Ireland scrum-half Peter Stringer. 

The 98-cap international said on Twitter: “Just because someone is ‘powerful’ it doesn’t give you the license to operate outside the laws.”

The Munster legend also added that players must “find a legal way to bring him down”. 

Just because someone is ‘powerful’ it doesn’t give you the license to operate outside the laws of the game as set out by @WorldRugby.
You find a legal way to bring him down.Simple https://t.co/Sx4yiWURuo

— Peter Stringer (@stringer9) September 25, 2019

Since this retort, Stringer’s tackle on Jonah Lomu in 2002 has spread on social media to back up his point. 

When talking of powerful ball carriers, there are few better examples than the All Blacks great and this was one of the greatest mismatches in size the game has ever seen. 

However, Stringer felled the winger, scything him down at his ankles despite conceding almost a foot in height and eight stone in weight to him. 

If you don't think @stringer9 is qualified to make this statement, then don't forget, that he bought this powerful guy down by himself, within the rules 🤷🏼‍♂️#NoExcuses https://t.co/VSmj7t35kU

— Cagnus Marlsen 🇼🇸🇳🇿🇦🇸 (@NesianUso_) September 26, 2019

With players concentrating on making dominant tackles, the body position in contact is now getting higher and higher, with tackles like Stringer’s becoming increasingly rare. 

But there is no better way to take the referee and television match official out of the equation than a chop tackle, albeit there would still be the issue of no-arms tackles.

As cards look like they may be given aplenty over the next five weeks, this video may become even more popular.

WATCH: Joe Schmidt and Rory Best discuss the Ireland team chosen to face Japan on Saturday