I think we should make all the players wear bras and hats, play with a balloon and to try and score you have to hug each other and be polite. Don't think that's been done before.

Next they will do away with the tackle count and forward passses and ..... oh wait isn't there already a sport like that.

Isn't a player, with ball in hand, throwing his shoulder into a defender (bump off) nothing but a shoulder charge. How many times have we seen the tackler come out of the tackle with a sprung shoulder because of it.

Surely it's the height of the shoulder and opponent's head that causes the problem.

Leave it alone, just punish dangerous tackles of any type.

Which is presumably why they are banning it?


Sonny Bill must be regretting his return even more.

what on earth are you talking about?

a well executed shoulder charge is a joy to watch

rl]Sonny Bill must be regretting his return even more.rl]

Not when he sees his bank balance he wont !

This is the news i have been regretting the most.

Personally i love to see a big shoulder charge and this is another example of our rough and tough sport being softened.

How long will we be able to present ourselves as a gladiatorial spectacle between ferocious men, when you cant have a punch up and you cant banjo someone with a well timed shoulder to the chest.

I bet the players never voted in favour of this.

I meant punish as in penalty/sin bin/sending off depending on the severity/intention. Not banning anything.

Shoulder charges are executed ( ) all the time by the ball carrier.

Be tick and pass soon

To be clear, are you suggesting no tackles are outlawed unless it is intended to injure or someone is injured? So the shoulder charge, spear tackle, chicken wing, Lima tackle into the knees, are all acceptable unless there is injury?

Did I say 'Not banning anything'. It appears I did, sorry.

I think you know what I meant

Spear tackle, chicken wing, Lima tackle into the knees, are not acceptable. No need to ban the shoulder charge UNLESS it's illegal. ie attack to the head etc.

All I'm saying, again, is shoulder charges have been going on for ever by the ball carrier and if he/she attacks the defender's head with the shoulder, arm, elbow, there's a penalty.

I didn't which is why I asked.



On that basis I agree.

Physical contact is what the sports all about!

This move is designed to look after the players but I'm not sure even they will back the move.

The fans certainly won't!!

looks like the oz coaches aren't happy about it (rlhttp://www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/arl-commission-bans-shoulder-charge-from-rugby-league/story-fndujljl-1226520747167rl).

i can see penalty counts through the roof in the first few games if this is ratified (still some small hope it'll get reversed next month by the looks of it - but i'm not holding my breath)

It's bloody ridiculous. It's a great part of the game, just looking on YouTube, how many videos of "big hits" are full of massive shoulder hits.

Sod it, we may as well go watch some penalty shoot outs - sorry, rugby union!