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'It's happening': League boss sounds the alarm in response to Sonny Bill Williams
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs General Manager and renown Rugby League figure Phil Gould has joined the debate following developments in rugby union to lower tackling heights.
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Gould, a prominent figure in the NRL for decades as a player, coach, media figure and executive, joined former All Black Sonny Bill Williams in questioning proposed changes to rugby union, with fears that the NRL and all collision sports would be ‘eradicated’.
Responding to a tweet by Williams which detailed the worst concussion of his career after going low against the Wallabies during a Test match in 2017 for the All Blacks, Gould sounded the alarm for collision sports that this essentially is the start of the end.
“There is no logic. And the people making these decisions do not want to listen,” he wrote.
“Collision sports will no longer exist into the future. Doctors, lawyers, media, won’t let up until the collision sports are finally eradicated.
“I wrote this over a decade ago. It’s happening.”
There is no logic. And the people making these decisions do not want to listen. Collision sports will no longer exist into the future. Doctors, lawyers, media, won’t let up until the collision sports are finally eradicated. I wrote this over a decade ago. It’s happening. https://t.co/Djne9gAcN5
— Phil Gould (@PhilGould15) January 27, 2023
In 2013 the then Penrith Panthers boss penned an opinion piece after the NRL’s ban on the shoulder charge tackle that Williams became a prominent exponent of during the 2000s era.
“I could tell you that players are the last ones complaining about shoulder charges or the risk of injury; but people won’t let you get away with such comments these days,” Gould wrote at the time.
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“You cannot win an argument with those who sensationalise, exaggerate and take the moral high ground. Our world these days is becoming so paralysed with political correctness it makes me sick.”
“How can anyone think that sanitising a product built on all-out aggression will improve its appeal? This is poor analysis.”
Gould’s piece detailed his experiences playing rugby league back in the 70s and 80s where the game was much more violent than the modern day and how no amount of persuasion would convince players not to play despite the risks involved.
Williams has been vocal in sharing his views around how waist-and-below tackling would alter the sport, but did lobby for the removal of big shots where players shoot out of the line.
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The former All Black believed the ‘reckless’ tackle was too dangerous and would make the game safer if totally removed from the game.
“The tackle I really think needs clamping down on is the reckless one where a player shoots out of the line to “put a shot on”,” he wrote.
“I used to do this a lot and I know how dangerous this can be… did someone say the Lions?!
Tbh all we want for our game is safety. The tackle I really think needs clamping down on is the reckless one where a player shoots out of the line to “put a shot on”. I used to do this a lot and I know how dangerous this can be… did someone say the lions?! 😂😅
— Sonny Bill Williams (@SonnyBWilliams) January 28, 2023
Comments on RugbyPass
Thanks Nick, and on the money. We tend to be apathetic until something REALLY BAD happens, then we aren't! At least this applies to the Reb players and coach, if not the spectators. They seem to be getting very quick ball at times. Have they altered something, or is it just all of the skills coming together at the right time? It seems almost the opposite of the Reds, who started the season with quick ball, but haven't been showing that in the last 3 losing games. Is it attitude (McDermott hasn't looked “right” to me for 3 weeks), or something else?
8 Go to commentsGood summary. As said, Sevu Reece has been electrifying for the Crusaders. Great try and he has been everywhere. Amazing he is now equal with Caleb Ralph , club record of 52 tries for the Crusaders. That record beckons. Good to see Dallas McLeod getting regular starts at last. A big few weeks are ahead.
3 Go to commentsGood article/interview.As was said Christian Lio-Willie was barnstorming when he came on for the Crusaders. What happened at the end, self-explanatory.Captain fantastic Scott Barrett is due back soon as well, once they are back from Aussie. Great to see Ethan Blackadder back last week.
1 Go to commentsYou must have been watching one team, Andrew - and even then you missed the brightest star in the Chiefs pack - Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 2 turnovers, genuine line-out presence and grunt around the field, and the soft hands of a back.
3 Go to commentsHaha what a crock of sh!t these headlines are. Moorby’s best year was that first. Still doesn’t seem to have the same game about him as when he was fresh but has bounced back well this season to be playing consistent tight accurate footy
1 Go to commentsIt’s even dumber than Bernard Foley not kicking the penalty to touch in the Melbourne Bledisloe in 2022.
2 Go to commentsYes, they are traveling well but it’s early days. The Chiefs were in front with 20 to go while they snatched a last minute win v the Reds. Keep calm.
1 Go to commentsThe failure of the Irish system / rugby playing style to produce their own backs has them looking elsewhere for innovation and flair - not that Jordie has much flair. He’s a converted fullback. The Canes have plenty of other younger options.
9 Go to comments1.Watch Wallace Sititi be the wild card AB. A genuine full time no 8 2. Luke J like Sotutu has not delivered. 3. Chiefs have all the right cattle but badly miss the leadership of Webber. LJ is about as unconvincing as Sam Cane when under the pump. They had the winning of that game in the second half then fell apart.
3 Go to commentsYes the Rebels are showing signs of life because they are literally playing for their live -lihoods and thanks to their Australian attack coach. However they are still playing an essentially dull boring south african style for the rest of the time. And Geoff Parling must be the most useless lineout coach ever. Worse than Steve Hansen even. Interestingly we are starting to see more cheap shots and attempts to get away with cheating by Australian players, now they are being influenced by Joe Schmidt. It was exactly the same when Rennie started out as Wallaby coach and thru his tenure. Trying to teach Australians to play like kiwis doesn’t work, as the last 20 years has conclusively demonstrated. Especially when we are not as good at it as kiwis. Which of course is the whole idea …..
8 Go to commentsGreat signing, not sure where he’ll fit in though. As for him ‘playing alongside RG Snyman, that’s highly debatable given the likelyhood that the latter will spend most of the season on sick leave.
9 Go to commentsWowee!
9 Go to commentsEvery team that has played a game in Africa this Champions Cup season is already out of the competition - including the SA teams. Could be a concidence.
30 Go to commentsthat should offer some experiences for Jordie.
9 Go to commentsJust remember: He is not a winger. Took Ian Foster 2 years to figure that out.
9 Go to commentsExcellent article, Nick. We (your RP colleague Brett McKay and my 8/9 Combo cohost), are going to have LSL on our podcast later this month. He has shown consistent excellence as a leader and lock. I’ll chat with you offline about a line of questioning if you have time. H
8 Go to commentsSo no Irish fan or journalist suggested JGP was as good as DuPont. Then even the guy who supposedly did is from Wales and said JGP would be the best around if it was t for DuPont. Right, so what is this story about again
17 Go to commentsGreat news for the URC. Leinster will always attract top talent. Another huge name added to their stable
9 Go to commentsWhen you look at Australian Rugby you can see the talent coming through. There’s young players everywhere. They have the makings of a strong Wallaby team for years to come if they trust their young players. There might be some short term pain but after 30 or 40 caps together a Wallaby group comprised of the current youngsters will really be top class. It seems like the threat of going under has focused the Rebels both on and off the field. They are having a go like a team with nothing to lose and winning back the fans whilst silencing their detractors. Its funny how an existential threat can spur a team on to new highs. Taking rugby back to the communities will help to build support and create a true team for the community and one rooted into it. It may just work and save the Rebels and if they can get the financing then maybe let them have a go at reinvention. I do feel though that Australian Rugby has one too many franchises. If the Rebels die all these solid young players get infused into other franchises who will have more money, depth and resources. It would make the Australian Rugby franchises so much stronger and they may come to achieve parity with the best franchises from NZ. Super Rugby is throwing up some really entertaining games. Not too much good defence but certainly high pace, try scoring magic on display. Melbourne are no exception to this.
8 Go to commentsMost articles (none Irish) said JGP might be second best globally (after Dupont). Anyway, he is playing great. Different player but maybe he is equal to Dupont in how he is reading games now. He is also running a lot of Dupont support lines and scoring a lot of tries. Dupont is best scrum half but JGP in next pack.
17 Go to comments