So the rfl have announced that the new tackeling rules start at all amutuer levels from 2024. Along with all junior ie academy level too.having witnessed last years farcical trial this will have a major impact on the game and many will walk away i know my eldest who plays at normy as already said so.the rfl really dont know what they are doing had.

Below armpit, is that such a big deal?

On a health basis, it cannot be argued against. The world will not tolerate any sport that damages personal health and if we can't find a way to manage that then there won't be a game of rugby league. At least we only have the collision problem to resolve. RU has gone down the route of having deformed forwards trying to beast each other in a scrum and that will also have to disappear taking with it 75% of their game.
On a financial basis, it cannot be argued against. Rugby League currently has a choice of 1 insurer willing to underwrite our game (presumably at a massive premium). If we can make our game more insurable, we also make it more affordable and that will allow the game at every level to continue.
This has to be resolved and if some people miss their thuggery, there will be many more who may be attracted to the game for its skill and speed.

Was there a part one?

It's the modern world, one where people are no longer free to do as they wish with there own body, unless you want to change gender then it's all fine.

The other fly in the ointment are ambulance chasing lawyers, you can see it with the head injury claims coming forward. Of all the sports, none offer greater risk of long term injury that Rugby. That's not a new observation, that's been known about since it's inception. Anyone who takes up the sport, or any parent who allows their child too knows the risks. People play Rugby because they like the physicality, and by doing so accept the risks imho. Without the element of risk it ceases to be rugby.

I'm not a luddite, there is always room to improve the safety aspect of the game. What you can't change are the fundamentals. The game will become an unwatchable penalty fest.

Severe injuries and even death are a part of the game, they are still very rare, and hugely regrettable, but it's not an uknown.

Do we ban people from joining the Army because they might get shot? Life is not without risk, and a life as rewarding as being a top class Rugby player definitely isn't.

The obvious reason is because they won’t be able to be insured unless these steps are taken. I would imagine that the conditions will be imposed by insurers before they consider insuring the sport. It kind of gives them some rope to put up the premiums also even with the tackle height reduced.

From what I see a number of the head injuries happen more at thigh/hip level anyway. Take Batchelor at magic weekend last year. You rarely see head injury from high tackles these days anyway.

The issue is the game will evolve into something different. There are a number of issues.some immediate ones from a fan perspective:

1. Clubs, coaches and players will exploit the change - catching a player high whilst they drop or lower into the tackle has already been a recent talking point. You can’t tell me this won’t be coached. Drop a couple of inches going into contact so you get hit on the upper chest. It’s a gift of a repeat set and there will be clubs who use this to the fullest. You couldn’t prove it either if it’s small margins.

2. Who draws the line? It’s more pressure and more grey area on the officials to police. Where one offivial sees a tackle above the line another may not (especially at high speed contact). This is going to be a lottery and a minefield. Officials will face the brunt of it too and they’re already receiving a high level of criticism for what I feel is more a lack of resource and support from the governing body. There is an answer for this….. every team shirt has a line on the shirt going from pit to pit which can be a tool to judge by. It won’t be perfect but gives some benchmark at least. Either way officials are going to really get the brunt of this change. I actually feel really sorry for the referees.

3. Grappling in upper body and wrapping the ball will be very difficult to do without being penalised for. Players who carry the ball high up especially. We will end up seeing a ton of offloads potentially and it being more like a hot potato.

4. The 6 again currently speeds up play and is a tool teams use to put others on the back foot and exploit to get further repeat sets. Is the game currently too fast for this kind of change? I think since 6 again the game has become a lot more scrappy and more direct and less expansive. Teams can hammer fast runs behind the play for repeated sets at pace to inch down field and keep teams on the back foot. This change would make it all the easier to do this.

I feel that the sport is backed into a corner with this with very little option but this will signal a huge change.

As long as there are comparable rules for attacking players… eg not ducking into tackles … holding the ball below armpit… keeping their head above the normal shoulder height at all times… no diving…or voluntarily going to ground…

Not if you want to watch a game of rugby with a penalty every other minute then i guess not.

Having witnessed games under these rules its diabolical there aent less injuries probally more if anything not just to head but to other limbs.dont forget the tackeler going to be going lower so there suffering more.and players dont want it.just watch all the talent drain away from sl in 2025 when it comes in there top brits will go to nrl and the aussies wont want to come here

Yes back around may/june time i posted regarding the stupid rules

I don't really see why making the tackle limit the armpit is such a great sport killer.
You've never been able to hit the head, it's just not been policed properly, so they've effectively lowered it by 2-3 inches.
It doesn't make the tackle any softer.
A big rackle in the chest is still a big tackle.
Or, as most people are taught initially, around the waist.

Banning all the wrestle moves hasn't hurt the sport. I'm sure this won't either.
The winning team will be the one that adapted quickest.

I wonder if maybe the solution to the penalties is for coaches to teach their youth teams to tackle by the rules.

It's not the concept, it's the implementation.

At speed and from distance, pretty hard for any ref to define below the armpit, or whether it's purely accidental, or due to the player falling into the tackle. It's another one of those rules that are far too subjective, and I think it will kill the spectacle for a while until someone finally realises it can't be done.

It is/ was the gladiatorial nature of the sport which attracted me to play and watch… if these rules had applied when I was a kid would it have made a difference to me getting involved as a player? Who knows? As a paying spectator… yes it would absolutely have affected my decision… I don’t pay to watch touch footy… I don’t really like Union.. but the new rules have made it totally unwatchable for me…

I understand why the adaptation… with some technical reservations… and…
I’m sure new generations will adapt and enjoy… AND… I will always love and watch trinity whatever version of whatever sport they play.

But, in my old age, I think I will probably just end up watching 70s 80s and 90s games on YouTube … for that’s the sport I fell in love with!

Why don't they wear head protection like Bish used to wear. That was used purely for protection after a serious head injury.