I would reduce the number of substitutions/interchanges to reintroduce levels of attrition in our sport. As eluded to by the OP, tackling of this nature in the amateur game is negated due to the lack of fitness of the players.

If we reduced the number of interchanges, players wouldn't go into tackles in such numbers or with such intensity due to a) reserving energy b) fatigue

I've played versions of this many times, but normally in training: "Right lads, 15 minutes of touch, stop momentum!". Many teams play forms of this in training - it's touch RL with a bit more of a physical edge.

Think about what you're suggesting. It would end up a chaotic mix of tag and touch/momentum. If the defenders have to release as soon as momentum is stopped then in no time attacking teams will cotton on and start sprinting in, stopping upon contact and playing the ball at breakneck speed - just like the best tag teams - far too fast for the defence to ever regain any shape, or indeed even make 10 metres back. No thanks.

I agree many teams take the wrestle aspect too far. But a huge part of RL for me is the physical aspect - the impact and the challenge of bringing your man to the ground. It's not all about attack - defence has many nuances and is a huge part of the ebb & flow of the game. A well executed tackle to slow an attacking team with a roll-on can change the flow of a game and lift your side as much as a 50-metre break.


Agree completely. Too many subs/interchanges reduces most forwards to little more than a couple of 20 minute stints. Let's challenge them to raise their standards and if necessary reveal their weaknesses rather than give everyone the platform for 17 muscle-bound automatons to swap & change whenever they feel tired. And let's see how well your players can adapt if there are injuries. You're right, you wouldn't see so much eagerness to get 3/4 men in the tackle.

On.y way to change it would be two men max in a tackle but that is a radical rule change. 3-4 men in is standard in nrl now. It remains the big difference between SL and nrl, no doubt SL will be doing the same more and more to slow down the ptb. The reduction in interchanges may help?

Let's go back to the days when one man grabbed the legs of another, therefore making him stop running and fall on the ground, having done that he lets go and lets the tackled player play the ball so the game can continue at a (usually) quick, exciting pace !!!!

Far too radical

Except they weren't doing that out of some benevolent notion of service to the sport. It's because they were knackered and no-one else could get there in time to support the tackler.

To FORCE that to happen now, rather than it being a natural part of the game, would be a very radical step.

Limit the number of wouldbe tacklers to two, if a third joins in ref calls held immediately. Ban scoots from dummy half. The dummy half must pass from the PTB.

It seems some people really have, er, issues with this, doesn't it?

A thread started in response to a Saints tackle which caused a horrible injury, by post two it's blamed on Wigan.