Re: Corey Johnson & others : Wed Jan 27, 2021 9:09 am
KaeruJim wrote:
The refereeing in the Cats game was bordering on negligent at times; but it could and should have been done better within the existing rules of the game.
Agree re, shoulder charge - I miss them. It isn’t the notion that’s the problem, it’s when the shoulder is applied to the head which is foul play anyway. That one is a case of baby and bath water for me.
The Leeds - Canterbury WCC game comes to mind. SBW was immense and that’s what you want to see.
There is a bubbling issue over head injury, and it could likely get worse. Rugby of either code is a contact sport and head injury happens - the majority of the time concussions are unintentional and you can’t just legislate them out of the game. Sometimes it’s poor technique by the ball carrier actually (e.g. turning back to opposition line and pressing on, putting the defender behind the head).
It’s just a balance isn’t it of making the game as safe as we responsibly can, whilst still having a contact sport at all.
Agree re, shoulder charge - I miss them. It isn’t the notion that’s the problem, it’s when the shoulder is applied to the head which is foul play anyway. That one is a case of baby and bath water for me.
The Leeds - Canterbury WCC game comes to mind. SBW was immense and that’s what you want to see.
There is a bubbling issue over head injury, and it could likely get worse. Rugby of either code is a contact sport and head injury happens - the majority of the time concussions are unintentional and you can’t just legislate them out of the game. Sometimes it’s poor technique by the ball carrier actually (e.g. turning back to opposition line and pressing on, putting the defender behind the head).
It’s just a balance isn’t it of making the game as safe as we responsibly can, whilst still having a contact sport at all.
I agree, it's contact sport, and it's brutal at times. After Newman's awful injury, I wouldn't change the way tackles around the legs are made. Head injuries are a different case though. Yes, many can be accidental, but in my view, many more are lack of discipline and fatigue. I think the risk of red cards being more viable and longer bans will have a much better effect.
We need to protect the players, but also the game. If too many come out with brain injuries and concussion issues, surely it will have a detrimental impact on the future of contact sports! We don't need the RFL being sued out of existence.