Quote nick hkr="nick hkr"The logic isn't to protect the players it is to protect the RFL and IRFL from being taken to court further down the line. If they are not seen to be banning this kind of contact some money hungry retired player will look for a pay day in court. That is the only reason for this rule change and not one jot of consultation with the players has happened.
Now when you do a skydive you sign a waiver but that does not stop a claim for negligence in the future if something were to go wrong. The RFL can adopt something similar to this and keep the game as it should be... a contact sport.
I honestly feel like I want a refund on my season pass at this moment in time. If I can't go and watch a game of Rugby League as it is meant to be played then why waste £212 on a season pass?
If I wasn't disillusioned with the game before today, I sure am now.'"
Yeah, but signing the waiver couldn't be made compulsory for employees or contracts cancelled for those who refused. Down the road a player could just say he felt pressured
It's a shame, but not a surprise.
Out of interest is there an age below which it was illegal for junior teams?