I have noticed that in the last 5+ seasons that there is hardly 1 rugby league player who wears protective equipment, and as a result players are getting more and more shoulder/upper arm/head injuries as a result. I remember in the 80s/90s players were head to toe in protective gear such as shoulder pads, headguards gumshields, where as today there in about 5 players who wear protection, and this is after they have had the injury (B.J.Bishop`s headguard, Fozzards forearm etc)
My point is that I reckon if players were to wear more, than the chance of a serious injury would reduce. Menzies still wears shoulder pads, gumshield and scrum cap, and rarely gets injured at 39). Liam Salter at Hull KR just had a shoulder reconstruction after only 1/2 a season in the top flight, he wore none. For such a contact sport (on par with American Football) the players seem to not care about there bodies. I played from 7-18 and my father was adamant on me wearing shin/shoulder/forearm pads, gum shield and a headguard similar to Menzies`.
I think it may be down to restricting movement, but the gear has evolved from the "Hillary Devay" ones that were about to tightfitting ones.
allot of players still where padding. its just that it is not as clearly visible. most padded are so far advanced that they fit ergonomically and sculptured around the body better. plus they are lighter and thinner. the old style pads wwf legion of doom type pads where useless anyway. most pads will not stop joint bone ligament injuries just reduce superficial bruising and damage.
most players where gum shields but again they are better quality and fitted by a dentist so they aren't as noticeable.
I used to wear pads when I played until one day when I forgot them and I thought I tackled harder without them. I don't know if this is true f profesionals or not. Also they do seemto have a fair amount of strapping, this could be either for protection or securing a weaker part of their body or both.
Whatever happened to those white strips in the mid-90s that players used to apply on the nose to help them breathe better? Hopefully exhaling/inhaling is a skill much improved in RL these days.
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