Sonny Bill Williams believes waist-high tackle restrictions will change the way rugby is played
>
Retired All Blacks star Sonny Bill Williams fears the code will be changed forever following World Rugby’s decision to ban tackles above the waist this year as part of a global test.
On Twitter, the 37-year-old, who has also excelled in the NRL and the boxing ring in a decorated sports career, expressed his frustration at the mandate.
“To me, not only does it completely change the way the game is played, but also forcing a low plate height in ALL game situations will only increase the (chance of) headshots,” he posted.
Has anyone asked the elite players for their opinion?
Former All Black Sonny Bill Williams fears the code will be changed forever following World Rugby’s decision to ban tackles above the waist this year as part of a global test
The former Bulldogs and Roosters star also admitted that the worst head injury he received in a long and decorated career came from a leg injury.
“Worst concussion I’ve had in a 20 year career was from a low ‘textbook’ tackling – the reason everyone (like me) is so confused by these rumored law changes is because the logic it is not shared with us,” he posted. .
‘Can anyone share the science behind these decisions?’
Williams, who won two rugby World Cups with New Zealand in 2011 and 2015, garnered a lot of support online.
One fan felt that it will ‘completely change the game’, and another supporter said: ‘I don’t think any feedback was sought from people playing at any level.’
The global test will be introduced from July 1 for amateur players of all ages, the Rugby Football Union [RFU] recently announced.
While Rugby Australia has previously said it has no intention of applying the same legalities to the game on home shores, the world governing body appears keen to force Australian players to adhere to the new restrictions.
The 37-year-old vented his frustration over the mandate to his more than 936,000 followers on Twitter.
Williams fears there will be an increase in head strikes due to low tackling height
World Rugby chief executive Alan Gilpin told the Sydney Morning Herald that World Rugby would follow the RFU’s lead with a no-tackling-above-the-waist test at amateur level in a global test from 1 January 2024.
Under the proposal, some leeway would apply with the warnings to be issued, however, shots around the torso would attract yellow cards and high kicks would result in an automatic red card.
“Yeah, we want to make sure we implement a lower tackle height in all parts of the game,” Gilpin said.
“The way it’s actually implemented is slightly different in community play than it is in elite play.”
Textbook entries like this will become questionable at amateur and youth level and could result in a yellow card.
Tackles with the arms around the waist will become common, like this attempted tackle by former Wallaby Nathan Sharpe on cross-code star Sonny Bill Williams.
While the decision will apply to all levels of amateur rugby, professional qualifications, including international tests, will not be affected.
Gilpin said the lack of medical professionals available at the amateur level necessitated the move.
“You’re in a slightly different environment, for a number of reasons, in the elite part of the game, particularly internationally, because the level of, for example, medical provision and diagnostic ability, is very different,” he said. .
“Obviously we have TV match officials, head injury assessment, the immediate care capacity on the pitch in all of elite rugby that you don’t have in community play.
“We have to recognize that they are not the same sport.”
Former Wallabies winger Drew Mitchell has previously voiced his objections to the rule change making its way in Australia.
Drew Mitchell questioned how the new tackling rules will work, calling the RFU’s move ‘dramatic’ (pictured, Wallabies’ Jed Holloway reacts after picking up Dalton Papali’i from the All Blacks last year)
Ireland’s Johnny Sexton disagrees with the new limitations, saying more players will injure their heads from wandering knees.
“I think it’s a bit dramatic. Nipple height was introduced a few years ago and was quickly discarded. I understand what they’re trying to do… but I think this one is off the mark and going too far,” she said.
There also has to be ongoing effects. If you can’t tackle anyone above the waist and every attacking player has a free hand during every run… while we’re trying to eliminate one thing, we’re opening up another.”
Ireland captain Johnny Sexton has also opposed the rule change, saying that increased leg tackles would actually increase the occurrence of concussions.
They can knee you in the head. You can receive a hip to the head. Most concussions come from that,” she said.
‘There was a study done a few years ago and a lot of red cards were given for high tackles.
‘We need to take them out of the game 100 percent, but none of them resulted in concussions…a lot of them came from the knees to the head and from the hips to the head.
“I’m not sure who sets these rules, but I don’t agree with them, especially for a taller guy like me who likes to tackle hard.”