'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.
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.
“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.
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
“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
22 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
3 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
2 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
3 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
3 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
14 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
3 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to commentsWhat a player! Not long until he’s in the England side, surely?
2 Go to commentsHe seems to have the same aura as Marcus Smith - by which I mean he’s consistently judged as if he’s several years younger than he actually is. Mngomezulu has played 24 times for the Stormers. When Pollard was his age he had played 24 times for South Africa! He has more time to develop, but he has also had time to do some developing already, and he hasn’t demonstrated nearly as much talent in that time as one would expect. If he is a generational talent, then it must be a pretty poor generation.
4 Go to commentsThe greatest Springbok coach of all time is entirely on the money. Rassie and Jacques have given the south african public a great few years, but the success of the springbok selection policy will need to be judged in light of what comes next. The poor condition that the provincial system is currently in doesn’t bode well for the next few years of international rugby, and the insane 2026 schedule that the Boks have lined up could also really harm both provincial and international consistency.
22 Go to commentsJake White is a brilliant coach and a master in the press. This is another masterclass in media relations and PR but its also a very narrow view with arguments that dont always hold water. White wants his team to win, he wants the best players in SA and wants his team competitive. You however have to face up to the reality of a poor exchange rate and big clubs with big budgets. SA Rugby cant compete and unless it can find more money SA players will keep leaving regardless of Springbok eligibility and this happened in 2015 - 2017. Also rugby is not cricket. Cricket has 3 formats and T20 cricket is where the money is at. When it comes to club vs country the IPL is king but that wont happen because the international calendar does not clash with the club calendar in rugby. So the argument about rugby going down the same path as cricket is really a non-starter
22 Go to commentsNZ rugby seem not to have learnt anything from professional rugby. Super rugby was dying and SA left before they died with the competition. SA rugby did a u turn on their approach to international players playing overseas and such players are now selected for Bok teams. As much as each country would love to retain their players playing in local competitions, this is the way the world is evolving my friends. Move with it or stay 20 years behind the times. One more thing. NZ rugby hierarchy think they are the big cheese. Take a more humble approach guys. You do not seem to have your players best interests at heart.
3 Go to commentsBeaches? In Cardiff? Where?
1 Go to commentsHe is right , the Crusaders will be a threat. Scott Barrett, ( particularly), Fergus Burke , Codie Taylor, ( from sabbatical) etc due back soon for the Crusaders. There are others like Zach Gallagher too. People can right the Crusaders off, Top 8 , here we come !!
1 Go to commentsWe will always struggle for money to match the other sides but the least the WRU can do is invest properly in Welsh rugby. Too much has been squandered on vanity projects like the hotel and roof walk amongst others which will never see a massive return. Hanging the 4 pro sides out to dry over the last decade is now coming back to bite the WRU financially as well as on the pitch. You reap what you sow.
1 Go to commentsWhat do you get if you cross a doctor with a fish? A plastic sturgeon
14 Go to commentsWhat happened to feleti Kaitu’u? Hasnt played in a while right?
1 Go to commentsGregor I just can’t agree with you. You are trying to find something that just isn’t there. Jordie Barrett has signed until 2028. By the end of that he would have spent probably 11-12 years on Super Rugby and you say he can’t possibly have one season playing somewhere else. It is absurd. What about this scenario, the NZR play hard ball and he decides to leave and play overseas. How would that affect the competition. There seems to be an agenda by certain journalists to push certain agendas and don’t like it when it’s not to their liking. I fully support the NZR on this. Gregor needs to get a life.
3 Go to commentsHope he stays as believe he can do a great job.
1 Go to comments