It’s the hot topic at the moment and World Rugby’s latest announcement attempts to target the issue head on.
World Rugby have issued new measures to limit contact with the head during rugby games.
The announcement comes during a time where head injuries in rugby have never been more discussed.
It also comes on the same day that Dylan Hartley learned he will only receive a six week ban for his swinging arm ‘tackle’ on Ireland’s Sean O’Brien.
Shocking https://t.co/WGiF5jvhkl
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) December 14, 2016
The following is a summation of the announcement made by World Rugby.
- New law application guideline will codify zero-tolerance to contact with the head
- Approach informed by largest-ever study identifying most common situations leading to head injuries
- Players, coaches and match officials urged to be proactive in changing culture
- Latest step in proactive, evidence-driven approach to injury reduction
- Head is a no-go area
“In a change to law, World Rugby has redefined illegal (high) tackle categories and increased sanctions to deter high tackles via a law application guideline.
“This will apply at all levels of the game from 3 January 2017 introducing minimum on-field sanctions for reckless and accidental contact with the head, effectively lowering the acceptable height of the tackle.The guideline will be supported with a global education programme.”
One of the main changes outlined above is the implementation of an increase in sanctions for high tackles and redefinition of what constitutes a high tackle.
The goal is to achieve a reduction in high tackles which occur in a game. However, these new guidelines are to be implemented from 3rd January 2017.
Luckily enough for Dylan Hartley, his latest offence took place before this date, which is reflected by his six week lenient ban.
Ultimately, the effectiveness of these new measures wont be known until we see another incident next year like the Hartley one.
We would hope that a more stringent ban is implemented.
