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![Not allowed!](images/buttons/up_dis.png)
Staff Writers
Reuters
November 1, 2022 10:14AM
New Zealand Rugby will expand a trial for tackling below the chest to all community competition next year as part of efforts to minimise the risk of concussion in the sport.
The trial will see the first tackler required to target the belly area below the sternum, with the second tackler still able to tackle below the shoulders in accordance with current rugby laws, NZR said in a statement on Tuesday.
Lower tackling was trialled in selected competitions in New Zealand last year.
"Our participants have told us that they want to see improvements made to the tackle and breakdown areas, so that's been our focus," NZR general manager community rugby Steve Lancaster said.
"The resounding feedback we've received from this season's trials is that the game is more enjoyable to play and safer when the tackle height is reduced to below the sternum, or what some people will know as the belly."
The trial comes amid growing concerns about head injuries in rugby.
A group of almost 200 former professional players have taken legal action against World Rugby, the Rugby Football Union and the Welsh Rugby Union. They argue that the sport's governing bodies failed to take reasonable action to protect players from permanent brain injury and subsequent early-onset dementia caused by repetitive blows to the head.
In June, World Rugby extended its sit-out period for players with concussion symptoms, requiring them to avoid playing for a minimum of 12 days.
The global governing body also announced guidelines limiting full contact training to 15 minutes per week and launched a brain health education campaign for players.
NZR said it would continue to trial a scrum rule which bans teams from pushing a scrum more than 1.5 metres.
The rule applies to senior club competition but not the highest "Premier" grade of community rugby.
"Reducing the risk of injuries at scrums has long been a focus for the game," added Lancaster.
"But we need more time to understand from a player safety perspective if we've got this quite right."
https://www.perthnow.com.au/sport/ru...rial-c-8721457
80 Minutes, 15 Positions, No Protection, Wanna Ruck?
Ruck Me, Maul Me, Make Me Scrum!
Education is Important, but Rugby is Importanter!
how can you train a pack to stop pushing at 1.5 metres?
Exile
Port Macquarie
"Let me tell you something you already know. The world ain’t all sunshine and rainbows. It’s a very mean and nasty place and I don’t care how tough you are it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain’t about how hard ya hit. It’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward. That’s how winning is done! Now if you know what you’re worth then go out and get what you’re worth. But ya gotta be willing to take the hits, and not pointing fingers saying you ain’t where you wanna be because of him, or her, or anybody! Cowards do that and that ain’t you! You’re better than that!" - Rocky Balboa
In general, changes to tackling rules in rugby are aimed at improving player safety, and any such trials are carefully evaluated and adjusted based on their impact on the sport.