And a completely unnecessary in the context of the game at the time.

It would have been a straight red in Union, where the dump tackle is banned

Admittedly I havent seen the tackle again and didn't have a great view the first time, but I didn't see anything wrong with the tackle at the time.

However, I think there needs to be a proper study done into various types of tackles but especially the ones where players are lifted. The Alex McKinnon incident has shown how close we run to disaster in RL.

The huge increase in the size, weight, speed, strength and power of players in recent years must mean that tackles are much more powerful than before and that the stresses and strains placed on the person being tackled are much greater. I acknowledge that the increased power, strength etc of players puts them in a better position to receive these tackles, but I think we as fans often underestimate the force of these tackles. I posted on here a little while ago that in the Warrington game Jamie Peacock received a ridiculous number (I forget the exact number) of impacts above 9g's.

I don't think we should kneejerk as a sport in response to the McKinnon incident, because I also recognise that accidents will happen in a contact sport, regardless of safeguards, but I don't think we should ignore the effect of the realisation of full time players and the massive increase in sport science.
So I think the RFL and NRL should work together and fund a proper, in-depth, scientific study into various types of tackles and contact in the game.
Then we can move forward and see what can be done to lesson any risk.

We do need to be careful to over react.

The tackle was fair. I guess if it was a forward that had been tackled then the outcome may have been very different.

If we aren't careful we will end up like football with little physical contact thanks to health & safety boffins

It was just a big hit. Hard and fair. It is rugby remember.

Precisely. Always sad to see any player suffer an injury during a game but for them it's just an occupational hazard. Players have to be able to give and take the physical punishment, those that can't don't last long.




I sometimes question what attracted certain sections of the population to this great game played by the warrior/gladiators of our time.

I liken them to the type who complain about aircraft noise after buying property under the landing lights.

I also thought on my first and only viewing of the incident that BJB left his feet into the collision. If so, he carries some responsibility.

As I said, my first and only viewing so I could be wrong.