For what it's worth, I feel that allowing fending will naturally lead to more contact in defence as you almost have to stop the attacking player to remove the tag. Otherwise how are you supposed to get to the tag with someone running full speed past you (at spaces, not faces) and they are fending the tag closest to you? By wrapping your arms around to try and get either tag you are effecting a tackle and should be penalised!

The Lost Loiners, for one, are disappointed that this rule is included.

we can fend the tags, FULL STOP,,

Exactly that, we need to get the rules embedded in and any minor changes made when needed.

All Coach and I are saying is some flexibility for some games and clubs.