Originally Posted by
Saddened!
I don't. Fold the sport if they ever get to the point where it's being seriously considered, there just isn't any point to the sport with those rules. The whole issue is being blown out of all proportion because of very tragic and horrible stories coming out about former professionals. But all those diagnosed with issues so far played in an era of ignorance as to the effects of head knocks. I've cheered players like Fozzard and Graham as they've stood up after being blatantly and obviously knocked out. Those players have then taken the next ball and got clattered again, then played the rest of the game, then taken painkillers and trained and played as if nothing happened the following week with no rest. We know more now and at junior, amateur and professional level, all head injuries are given manditory rest periods. I'm all for enforcing that more or extending the period to match the suggestions of scientists, but to ban tackling above the waist is just a daft idea. It will protect the ball carrier, but all you are doing is transferring the risks to the tacklers. Broken necks, concussions, knees to the skull etc. There will be tons of that. Sprint at the man and it's virtually impossible to complete the tackle as you don't have time to get to the side and tackle from there and if you tackle low head on you're going to get trampled. Imagine being a 5 foot, 10 stone winger or half back and trying to tackle a prop marauding onto the ball near the line. You can't. You may as well let them score. You might as well fold the sport and promote tag rugby instead.