Northampton Saints players hit out at 4G pitches with gruesome photos of Allianz Park injuries
Northampton scrum half Alex Mitchell has sparked a debate on Twitter over the use of 4G pitches in rugby after posting a gruesome picture of the injury he sustained playing at Allianz Park during the Saints’ 36-17 defeat to Saracens in the Gallagher Premiership last Saturday.
Mitchell picked up some nasty grazes and said on Twitter “Say No to these 4G pitches @theRPA”.
Say No to these 4G pitches @theRPA pic.twitter.com/Qirb89ChIh
— Alex Mitchell (@alexmitchell97) March 4, 2019
His clubmate Fraser Dingwall was in full agreement, the 19-year-old England U20 centre went off in the opening quarter against Sarries and posting a picture of his foot encased in a surgical boot he said: “Agreed. Both times on 4G @theRPA”
Agreed. Both times on 4G @theRPA pic.twitter.com/cLfIVoh0a6
— Fraser Dingwall (@FraserDingwall_) March 4, 2019
One Twitter user Jamie Watson responded to Mitchell stating “Been there before mate! Ended up getting infected as well, horrific!”
https://twitter.com/w4tsn/status/1102540818626297857
Another Twitter user @NickRayment who said he was a physio said: “My (physio) perspective from a biomechanical point of view: On grass and mud a firm tackle to the leg and the ground (generally) gives way to the stud. 4G weave with no give; a stud or two are fixed firmly in the ground… something else has to give. #joint #bone”
My (physio) perspective from a biomechanical point of view:
On grass and mud a firm tackle to the leg and the ground (generally) gives way to the stud. 4G weave with no give; a stud or two are fixed firmly in the ground… something else has to give. #joint #bone— Nick Rayment ?? (@NickRayment) March 4, 2019
Another user on the social media platform, @Chrishood57 said: “I think the many arguments in favour of them are becoming much less credible I can see the point of them for all weather soccerball practise, but rugby is a different type of game, much of it hitting the deck in some forcible fashion. Torn ligaments and missing skin? Just no ?
I think the many arguments in favour of them are becoming much less credible
I can see the point of them for all weather soccerball practise, but rugby is a different type of game, much of it hitting the deck in some forcible fashion. Torn ligaments and missing skin? Just no ?— Chris Hood ? (@Chrishood57) March 4, 2019
Another Twitter user @OHCelt replied: “Not to mention the long term damage to ankles, knees, and other joints and tendons from this surface. Just look at 50 year old NFL players.”
https://twitter.com/OHCelt/status/1102564339536592896
It’s not the first time a 4G pitch has come in for criticism, Glasgow Warriors’ Scotstoun pitch was lambasted last May with Scarlets back Johnny McNicholl stating that 4G pitches should be “illegal” after Scarlets players were left with burns, bad grazing and blisters following their Pro14 semi-final win at Glasgow Warriors.
The New Zealander said: “It has not been a couple of nice nights, sticking to the sheets,
“Underfoot, it is good when you are running, but as soon as you hit the deck it affects your joints as well.
“I would prefer not to play on them. I remember going down on the deck for the ball and got this massive grass burn on my backside.
“It was like a carpet burn. I said to the trainer straight after with a few words that I felt this pitch should be illegal.”
The 28-13 last-four victory also came at a cost for Steff Evans.
“These [wounds] are going to be stuck with me for a while, it is a tough field that 4G. It was just really dry. It wasn’t soft, it was a hard ground.” the Wales wing said.
“The weather didn’t help, it was like playing on carpet, it was shocking. You are waking up in bed and the sheets are stuck to your leg about seven times a night.”
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Comments on RugbyPass
The value he brought to the crusaders as an assistant was equal to what he got out of being there. He reflected not only on the team culture but also the credit he attributed to the rugby community. Such experience shouldn’t be overlooked.
3 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
10 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
39 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
10 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
39 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
3 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
39 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
51 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
39 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
39 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
39 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
39 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
2 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to comments