Tackle height and sanctions are just part of a much-needed long term player welfare solution
This story is written by Progressive Rugby
If the collision between Freddie Steward and Hugo Keenan reminds us of anything – it’s that accidental concussions on the rugby field will sometimes be unavoidable.
Indeed, any elite sport where you hurtle into each other at enormous speed and with juddering force will carry risk.
Adam Hastings being concussed by a Fijian ‘monster’ tackle to his midriff in November is a good recent example.
The contact point was nowhere near his head but the Scottish fly-half’s brain was rattled hard by the whiplash from the impact long before he hit the grass.
That doesn’t mean of course that efforts shouldn’t be made to reduce concussions on the field by looking to see if a tackle ‘sweet spot’ can be found, as well as taking a closer look at the actions and responsibilities of the ball carrier.
But irrespective, given we know perfectly legal tackles can cause concussion, clearly they are just part of a wider solution.
Given that for now, while there’s lots of good work going on, there is no scrum cap currently on the market that can prevent concussions, what can be done to better protect players entertaining thousands of us in the stands and on TV?
The fact is, while none of us want to see player’s knocked out, it’s become clear that it’s not really those one-off incidents that is the major cause for concern.
They should certainly be removed immediately and stood down but it’s the repetitive sub-concussions (rattling of the brain without symptoms) that causes the degenerative disease Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE).
That’s why a player can go a whole career without being knocked unconscious and still develop the condition. All Black prop Carl Hayman, who has only one recorded concussion, is a good example.
So the real key is reducing these elite players’ exposure to the contact that is jolting their brain around into the wall of their skull, monitoring those impacts, and having robust protocols that urge on the side of caution when they do receive a diagnosed concussion.
A additional benefit of all this of course is that this should facilitate players to perform at their optimum every time they take the field.
We really believe it’s simpler than many think.
Elite game:
· 21-day minimum stand down after diagnosed concussion
· 25-game maximum per season
· Eight weeks protected rest period per annum
Community game:
· School/club player welfare champions
· Concussion education programme for players/parents/coaches/referees
· Effective communication of concussion between clubs/school/parents
The above are just some key components of our welfare plans, which can be found here: Progressive Rugby - A Non-Profit Rugby Union Lobby Group
Together we can ensure rugby remains a hugely physical spectacle, but reduce the risk that the price players have to pay for the sport ends up being their future.
It’s too steep.
“The contact point was nowhere near his head but the Scottish fly-half’s brain was rattled hard by the whiplash from the impact.”