Tackling the shoulder charge confusion

No one is disputing the fact that certain styles of tackling in rugby league should be banned. Player safety must come first, and injuries must be prevented where possible.

As a sport, rugby league has seen its fair share of tragedy in recent times. The most recent tragedy that comes to mind is that of James Ackerman, a husband, father, and talented rugby league player, who was killed as a result of a shoulder charge during a Queensland Cup game.

Prior to that we had Alex McKinnon who suffered serious spinal injuries as a result of being lifted in a tackle.

Could these tragedies have been prevented?

The NRL has asked that question, and decided that these tragedies may have been preventable if tougher laws and penalties were in play to discourage players from tackling their opposition in a certain manner.

As a result of the implementation of these laws and penalties, the fans, players and commentators have seen what some would call a sudden and radical increase in suspensions as a result of differentiating shoulder charges being used during games.

While the NRL is taking a responsible stance and attempting to stamp out potentially harmful play in the game, NRL fans, players and commentators are confused, and I don’t blame them.

Don’t get me wrong, I do not support any tackle that places an opposition player in a vulnerable or dangerous position. Human life and player welfare far outweighs the importance of seeing big hits.

But the fact is that some of those big hits aren’t dangerous. Many in fact appear safer than other tackles that the NRL would classify as legal.

So at this point, would it be fair to ask the question, what tackle isn’t dangerous?

Over the years we have seen neck injuries, concussions, and other long-term injuries obtained at the hands of legal tackles being attempted around the legs.

In the midst of this shoulder charge debate we see some parts of the media promoting young Manly prop Jake Trbojevic as an example of a player demonstrating classic technique. I agree that he has proven to have great technique, but we also saw in the game against Canberra how attempting to use the right technique can still go terribly wrong if your head is in the wrong position.

Trbojevic was forced to leave the field with concussion and didn’t return after an attempt at a legal tackle around the legs.

Players know when they step onto the field that rugby league is a full contact sport. They knew it when they first started playing the game, and they know it today. They accept that like most sports, injuries are a part of the game, and that’s the sacrifice they’re willing to make to play the game they love.

No one wants injuries. No one wants any more tragedy. So what do people want? The shoulder charge?

I believe that what the players, coaches, commentators and fans want is simply clarity. Clear and uncomplicated detail from the NRL to distinguish what is deemed a shoulder charge, and what is deemed a ‘defensive block’, if you will.

It’s also important to note that throughout this debate we are only discussing the ball carrier’s right to safety. What about the defensive player? When South Sydney’s George Burgess runs full steam into the opposition, players should have the right to protect themselves with their body, including the shoulder to avoid injury. In saying that, George Burgess has the right the be protected by knowing that no player should be allowed to use a shoulder charge that has forward motion with intent to injure or harm.

With these examples in mind, is it even possible then for the NRL to establish in writing the difference between an offence that deserves a suspension, and an offence deemed (if it’s possible) legal? Could there be a warning system in place for offences that are deemed defensive, but potentially avoidable?

All we can say right now is that the NRL need to address the confusion over the shoulder charge and they need to do it now. Watching Manly winger Jorge Taufua go on report for a reactionary defensive bump on Canberra fullback Jack Wighton on the weekend has sent fear into the NRL fan-base that we are going to see this season’s finals decided potentially by questionable suspensions.

It’s like any relationship, communication is key, and if the NRL want to keep a relationship with their players, coaches, and fans, they are going to have to start communicating, sooner rather that later.