I think that what is needed here is some definition of exactly WTF they mean by a "shoulder charge" which is banned.

There is a good short article rl hererl by the great Darren Lockyer. He agrees that shoulder charges - as HE defines them - should be banned because too many end up with a contact with the head. But he is equally adamant that "big hits" should NOT be banned - he quotes Chris Close
"big hits front on with arms down ... that's what brings them through the gate. Leave the game as is".

If they restrict the ban to strictly no cannonball-style shoulder dives then fine, if the legitimate big hit as described here is left alone. If we lose the big hit, we lose a central part of the game.

Its only been a central part of the game fairly recently.

Never liked them. There's usually an element of a cheap shot about them. The ball carrier is often looking to the side, off balance, or doesn't have the chance to brace himself, get out of the way, or respond in kind.

If there is contact with the head or neck its a high tackle. If the officials police the current rules properly, then there is protection!

No need for the new rule. The league should ask players to sign a disclaimer before they play each season that indicates what is within the rules and the risks that playing Rugby League entails and does not allow them to claim against the governing body or the player/club in the future, unless there is foul play outside of the published rules.

Shoulder charges aren't that frequent an occurrence, i thought it would be more likely that the person making the shoulder charge is more likely to be injured.

They could police it to protect passers but if two players are running at one another ie. a prop running into the line or sams hit on fuifui moimoi - rlhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v - where a prop is there to do a job then that should be fine, but a late shoulder charge by a prop on a SH or HB who is looking where they are passing to and cant brace themselves should be policed properly.

There are several issues here but banning any type of tackle that is dangerous should be considered. They have in the past - spear, stiff arm, tripping etc.. The shoulder charge it's self is not dangerous, it's that it is usually poorly executed with the "charger" jumping up into the tackle, raising the arms or just being late - all these can be policed by the officials and the appropriate action taken. Correct training of the technique can reduce the injuries to both the "charger" and "chargee". It would be impossible to limit the type of tackle carried out depending on the size of the players concerned. What tackle would you allow on Burrows but not on Sam Burgess?

The same one as on Maguire.