Quote: PHIPPS "Indeed it is.
And as we all have agreed it's very easy to get the 'shoulder charge' wrong.
Given the target area (the sternum) it's sadly very easy to get it wrong and end up smashing the other players jaw, knocking their teeth out, fracturing their skull or even damaging their spine through mistiming it.
Also I think we can agree that the sternum (and the rib cage in general) is responsible for protecting many organs and major arteries. You start smashing it about with a 100 kg plus bloke and the consequences could be dire.
Yes accidents do happen and as Rugby League is a full contact sport sadly they do happen ...wherever you tackle someone.
The risks can hopefully be made less by banning the shoulder charge as RU have done.'"
Everyone tackle even without a shoulder charge is aiming for this area, that is where your taught to hit from a kid.
Injuries are part and parcel of Rugby league and can happen anytime every player knows this and still plays, take my injuries own i broke my hand and wrist grabbing someones collar and getting my hand stuck in the collar as they fell.
So let's rule out that then, i have seen someone snap there hamstring when taking a kick, let's rule that out.
Phil bailey in the semi a few years hurt is leg running in let's rule that out.
You see my point the shoulder charge is part of rugby league, there are no more injuries from shoulder charges than they are from any other aspect of rugby league.
