The point being that if the shoulder charge is not done correctly it can be extremely dangerous, and quite often it is down to a subjective ' guess ' by the ref as to wether the person was deliberatly attempting to injure, or it was accidental



If they decide to retain it, then it must be made clear any ' accidents ' will not be tolerated and will be severely punished

What will be very interesting is how the ban unfolds in the NRL. How will it be interpreted & policed by the refs and players/coaches?

Players are not supposed to be lifted at the moment. As soon as one foot is off the ground the ref is supposed to call held.

Very few injuries arise from high tackles too, it doesn't mean high tackles should be legal.



Personally, I wouldn't ban it but make it very clear that if you get a shoulder charge even slightly wrong by accident it's a straight red card. If you want to make a shoulder charge you're going to have to make sure that there'll be no contact with the head or you'll be spending a long time on the sidelines.

Going to be a mess with good tough tackles penalised. Expect to hear a lot of fan whinging this season.

This - nothing more complicated is required.

Personally, I'm in favour of a ban up to open age level. Teach kids the disciplines of tackling properly rather than looking for the big shot.



Once you get to open age however, allow the shoulder charge by all means but make sure that any contact with the head is appropriately punished.

I'd ban it at all levels except for SL and Championships. I don't think it has a place within the amateur game.

and why doesn't it have a place in the amateur game? i've played OA rugby for 18 years and seen and done plenty of shoulder charge tackles. there are far worse things that go on in the amateur game that cause more injuries that could be more effectively dealt with by the powers that be.

Because the amateur game is not supposed to be a platform for stupid thugs to go around trying to look hard, proving how tough they are, and pretending they're playing at Wembley and not at a working men's club on top of a hill. Sadly that's what it currently is which is why no sod plays it.



Out of interest, which currently legal tackles/tactics/techniques are used in the amateur game that cause more injuries or the potential for them?

shouldn't be banned. There should, however, be an absolute burden on the tackler to carry out the tackle in a safe way. Contact with the head, deliberate or accidental, should be a straight red card. Prioritise clean & safe tackling rather then reckless and dangerous big hits.

the amateur game is a stepping stone to the pro game. so why ban something in the amateur game and then allow those players to use it in the pro game should they make it there?



and i never said there are legal tackles/tactics/techniques that cause more injuries. i said there are far worse things that go on in the amateur game that need to be cracked down on more effectively e.g head highs, punching, stamping and even deliberate attacks to the groin area. all off these i've been on the receiving end of, and i'd rather take a shoulder charge any day of the week, especially compared to the last one. i think if these things were cracked down on, as well as the general thugs you talk about, it may go some way to solving the problem of participation levels

Yes but its only when you play Queens though