With the defender having to put their head at the same level as the ball carriers forearm/elbow/hip. I can see more head injuries as a result of this, not fewer.

I wouldn't be concerned at the number of penalties, those will always spike whilst players adjust to new rulings and then settle down as they adapt. Whether these are the right changes to address the issues or not is more open to debate.

I can actually see there being a revolt against this change - maybe this is the time for the NRL to step in after all. The RFL has lost the plot with this.



I’m all for the return to play protocols, reducing head impact in training, reducing impact for juniors (although would be interested to see the stats for concussions among the youth).



Obviously this is a difficult and contentious issue, I’m not across all the science but I do believe they are getting it wrong with the balance of risks.

That’s what I always thought. I’m sure they have the data but I get the impression that as many concussions happen from a tackler hitting a knee/hip/elbow as they do a ball carrier copping a high shot.



I also don’t know how the goaline will be defendable against any half decent hooker. Tacklers are gonna find it nearly impossible to get low enough when the player is already close to the ground. Cunningham would’ve had a field day.

The academy game I saw was a farce. The players just could not perform effective tackles low enough, which led to strings of frustrating penaliries. I can’t remember a single penalty which looked like it might have protected a player from concussion.



That meant that the result was basically down to luck and momentum.



Any governing body who used that pilot and then thought it would be a great idea to roll out is not fit for purpose I’m sorry.

Also might just have been me, but if the video that came with the announcement is what we’re going by, we are doomed. There is nothing wrong with the Gannon tackle or the one on Ava in the eyes of anyone that’s ever played.



The Ava one especially we’re gonna penalise the tackler when he’s actually probably put himself in more danger than the ball carrier.



Rather than helping I think the clips they’ve used will have only made people more frustrated.

I didn’t see any of the trails Jim, heard there were lots of penalties. Was it only the high shots or was it teams also trying to lay on/flop/slow down? Because I imagine going that low all the time impacts ruck control which teams are desperate for.

At speed and with direct contact the players just couldn’t keep tackles low enough, there were frequently two or three penalties per set, the defending team gets gassed and frustrated.



It didn’t get better through the game and the players looked dejected.



My main issue is that I just don’t believe the new tackling rule will prevent head injury. The safest thing to do is not to play the sport at all. They have gone too far trying to reduce risk in an inherently risky game.

True but there's an increase then there's more than one a minute.

You can just about get away with this kind of change in RU. It's a game the does not rely on momentum and tackles occur far less frequently. As a comparison about 170 per game in RU and 650 per game in RL. The opportunities for an offence to be committed goes through the roof in our sport. I'm all for a clean game and I'm glad the days of shoulder charges, forearm smashes and malicious high tackles are behind us, but this seems like reaction to a legal action brought by players who participated 20 to 30 years ago. The game is far safer now. I can't see the Aussies following suit, and where does that leave the prospect of international competition?

Next year might be my last season watching RL if this comes in, certainly won’t be committing to Season ticket or tv subscription.



Rarely have i seen a player knocked out in a general play from a hight tackle, I’ve seen far mire players knocked out making the tackle than in the receiving end. Deliberate late hits to the head yes, but players hardly ever ever get knocked out from what i’d call a run of the mill high tackle.



Bring this rule in and the game will haemorrhage fans.

Well unless the NRL follows suit, these RFL rule changes effectively kill the international game don’t they? What are going to do, play under international rules for internationals when our players have been playing a different game?