Push To Outlaw Cannonball Tackle

A new age is dawning in Rugby League. An age where the speed of the play-the-ball heavily affects the game and where the defence is hell bent on slowing it down, even if it risks injuring players. An offshoot as the result of this is the tactic of 2 players holding the ball carrier off the ground and a 3rd coming in and tackling the legs. However, the 3rd player in is now tending to launch himself into the ball carriers legs and this can cause serious injury to the players involved. I have no issue with a 3rd man into the tackle who just goes in there to help put the guy on the ground. My issue is the players, namely Isaac Luke, who launch themselves at the defenseless player's legs. Luke has been cited twice after his cannonball on Thaiday and Shillington. Shillington himself has been injured as a result of this. Whilst the NRL has outlawed the cannonball tactic, International Rules still allow it and until it is stamped out more and more players will be injured as a result of this tactic. It is a dangerous part of the game which, if not stopped, will develop further and may become even more damaging in the International Arena. It needs to be outlawed and now.

"Manly were never a threat this year. The media got that completely wrong. They had a round 1 win and everyone was calling them top 4. Their roster sucks. "

"Christ Wiz, don't tell me you are smoking it too.
Here i was thinking you just have hyperbowl.....But I think it is "Black Hole" territory.....you know you can't come back after you are sucked in, don't you Wiz?"

"Want more like it's looking like the reality of the situation.
Its the perfect storm now Moses is gone for 6 weeks.
Actually I've watched this cluster the last 12 months and am I surprised no I'm not.
Death ride 😂 these muppets claiming I'm doing…"

Replies

ŦōmMýþØΨ-Parra Till I Die! November 2, 2011 at 11:35am

Pretty soon the will out law the whole play the ball in general, then we can just have simulated games where the winner is decided by a computer loaded with false stats similar to "Rocky 15".
Tom Mus November 2, 2011 at 1:49pm

Don't see how anyone can disagree with this, to be honest.

Intentionally attempting to injure someone who is unable to defend themselves should always be against the rules. A couple of years back a couple of players held Craig Wing prone and someone launched into his back, breaking his shoulder blade. Not on. In Origin when Morris was laying on the floor injured, Hodges comes flying in. Not on. Players like Luke and Sandow launching at the legs of held players. Not on.

It amazes me that the guys upstairs are worried about cracking down on this, yet any bit of even-handed biff gets players weeks on the sidelines.
Pat November 2, 2011 at 2:53pm

Old mate Paul Kent really went to town on this on the Back Page last night

His bottom line was that it is being coached at club level - even though everyone denies this - and because of this administrators should go after the coaches as well

Pretty fair comment as Bellyache would definitely be in the cross hairs.

Mike Gibson supported him and said that this could actually end someones career which is not far from the truth
- SuperEel 22 > Pat November 2, 2011 at 5:32pm
  
  If the playe falls the wrong way it'd be very easy to tear ligaments and muscles.

This reply was deleted.

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