Origin 1 saw a number of season-ending injuries, and other pretty gruesome sights.
An example is Brent Tate. Although he escaped injury, the tackle on him could have ended very badly.
Then there’s Cooper Cronk suffering a broken arm from his own teammate’s head. And the incredible Morris boys, who somehow stayed on to the end despite their injuries.
These injuries are a result of greater power and strength in players, and the massively increased speed of the game.
The rule of no more biff, which I think is crazy, has a role in it too.
The average league player couldn’t hit straight if their was a target painted on the other guy’s face. They are so big now their muscles get in the way. Taking away this avenue for letting off steam is leading to players seeking retribution in other ways, such as late hits, hits from behind and so on.
Over the last 20 years we have seen the average player get bigger, stronger faster, fitter, and as a result the padding get smaller. It’s time for larger pads again, especially for Origin, maybe for NRL too. Not the size of American football, but at least twice the size of the current ones, to provide a bit more space, and more compression from the big hard hits we are seeing.
For the good of our game and players we must provide more protection, especially given the speed and power Origin.
Knightblues
Roar Guru
Agreed, all players should wear head padding to protect the cheeks and temples, plus it would give teams a greater team look also.
Knightblues
Roar Guru
yep I agree, bring back limited interchange, or cut the number of changes down to four, the game is getting too fast for its own good, bring back the endurance factor, also 12 players why not, have 5 on the bench, do we really need 2 halves anymore?
Knightblues
Roar Guru
Not really, I respond to criticism about my article if its half intelligent, if its just from idiots like you saying go play soccer or golf or something, then they and probably you haven't read past the heading, which I admit is stupid, because all it got mostly lol was a lot of stupids coming on here!
Gus Paella
Guest
Knightblues I think you need the padding mate, you are taking the criticism like an absolute blouse.
Barbauld
Guest
Knightblues the call for protection is sensible. The head protection Thurston wears is sensible and may reduce the chance of concussion. I remember seeing a NSW player get his brow stapled & bandaged on the sideline in an Origin game before running back on. OUCH. No wonder league was second only to boxing in toughness till MMA
Barbauld
Guest
Well said Zedman
Nigel
Guest
I think reducing the number of interchanges or number of players to 12 will I think require players to lose weight thereby lessening impact and injuries. I remember when the interchange was six, I used to enjoy the last 20 mins of a game. The game would open up and lots of tries scored. Endurance and skill I think is more important than high impact collisions. The appeal to families, keeping smaller players in the game, broader appeal of the game etc.
Knightblues
Roar Guru
Thanks for the intelligent answer The Barry, yes I should have put a better title on this, as it gave me a lot of dumbos probably on their 4th beer reading just the heading and replying. I still believe we need bigger padding at NRL and Origin levels, probably all levels over 16, and pads that are superiorly made for impact, Also if this damage continues, the clubs involved are going to have to be recompensed for their losses, or they just may not put players in 1st grade anymore who decide to play origin.
The Barry
Roar Guru
I take your point Knightblues but you could have expressed it better. It's the force and collision that you're talking about...greater weight, greater velocity = greater force. That should have been your angle rather than "too rough". While players can build muscle and speed they can't dramatically strengthen bones and joints. Not sure that more padding is the answer. The big injuries out of Origin 1 were Morris, Morris, Slater and Cronk. Additional padding wouldn't have helped at all in any of those cases - unless the players were wearing sumo suits. When I played as a kid in the 80s I had massive shoulder pads up to my ears. Don't know that they did too much other than giving a bit of confidence. Players could wear those now but choose not to so there can't be too much benefit.
Knightblues
Roar Guru
please read the article, not just the heading like half of the posters on here did, it might help you understand what I'm saying.
POMANG
Guest
Too tough. This isn't soccor.
Knightblues
Roar Guru
OK nothing intelligent from you then.
Zedman
Guest
Refer to previous post.
Knightblues
Roar Guru
Thanks ape, do you have anything intelligent to add about my article?
Zedman
Guest
Mate I will give you a tip, just because someone does not agree with you the last thing to do is revert to name calling and being a smart arse, you end up looking like a goose. Heh heh.
Knightblues
Roar Guru
I love it too, but we need to change some things. One bring back the biff, one on one only like they have in the ice hockey. Two, bring back larger padding like we used to have. Three, one or two man tackles only.
Knightblues
Roar Guru
Thanks to the few who could see where I was coming from, and I have played myself, the rest of the apes on here who reminisce for the good old days of eye gouging and spear tackling didn't really understand the article. Like I said the players need more protection now than ever because of the brutality of the tackles, we are getting players turned into pretzels, and pounded in two or three man tackles. Tackling should be limited to two, no third man. Does a club want to see its origin players having a good chance of getting wiped out for the rest of the year? I think its time we bought greater superior padding into the game to protect the players at the level of origin and NRL. Now to confuse the apes on here, I want the shoulder charge back too and the biff allowed provided its one on one, no third man coming in when two are fighting, as players are now taking out their anger on other players when they are usually helpless in tackles.
James Cairns
Roar Guru
Thats what we love about Rugby League, toughness, the brutality and heart is what makes it so absorbing. Injures are a part of every sport, its unfortunate but it will always happen.
Jon
Guest
Go play golf then
BlakeM
Roar Rookie
It's before my time, but League back in the 70s/80s had a lot more of the 'roughness', that's now non-existent in today's game. The media spotlight on the physicality isn't helping too much imo, like someone said earlier in the comments, we're just noticing it more. Doesn't need to be addled any moreso than it is.