Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
NZ NZ

The stat that shows World Rugby tackle school is actually working

By Liam Heagney
England's Charlie Ewels gets red carded in 2022 (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

A World Rugby review has highlighted that its tackle school initiative for suspended players is working. There had been criticism that the coaching intervention programme was a box-ticking exercise that allowed banned players to simply shave a week off their enforced time on the sidelines.

ADVERTISEMENT

However, after conducting a stocktake of the tackle measure introduced in July 2021, the game’s global governing body has revealed that just eight of the 120 players who graduated from tackle school have reoffended since their ban.

This behavioural change will now result in the pilot programme becoming a permanent measure to encourage first-time red card tackle offenders to improve their technique.

Video Spacer

Video Spacer

A tackle school statement read: “World Rugby’s coaching intervention programme has been adopted into regulation after an initial global pilot successfully demonstrated positive player and coach behaviour change.

“Since its launch in July 2021, more than 100 players have successfully completed the programme which is designed to reduce head contact by incentivising players and coaches to practice tackle technique that carries a statistically lower injury risk, reducing the number of red cards over time.

“Under the programme, any player in elite rugby who has been sanctioned for the first time by a disciplinary panel for foul play involving contact with the head may apply to substitute the final week/match of their sanction for a coaching intervention. With the sport united in its unwavering commitment to player welfare, the latest statistics demonstrate that repeat offences are below ten per cent, highlighting the importance of technique to both welfare and performance outcomes:

  • The programme aims to help reduce head contact by reducing the risk of foul play caused by poor technique;
  • Coach and player behaviour change leading to positive outcomes;
  • Programme is overseen by an expert panel of coaches, match officials and former players;
  • 120 players have now successfully completed the programme;
  • 94 per cent of players who have completed the programme haven’t repeat the offence.

“The tackle accounts for 73 per cent of head injury assessment events in the elite game of which 76 per cent occur to the tackler. The risk of concussion is more than four times greater when the tackler is upright in the tackle.

“Ingraining the importance of better (lower) tackle technique across the game, along with strong on-field sanctions and continual law evolution, it is possible to achieve stronger welfare outcomes. The coaching intervention programme is central to this approach.”

ADVERTISEMENT

World Rugby director of rugby Phil Davies said: “From a coaching perspective, the tackle is fundamental to successful outcomes and practising good tackle technique can have welfare and performance benefits. Programmes such as the coaching intervention programme have enormous education and behaviour benefits and are as important to the coach as they are to the player.

“The coaching intervention programme is by no means a tick box exercise. In order to benefit from a shorter suspension, the coaching intervention must be a targeted and technique-focused measure, designed to analyse tackle/contact techniques and identify and implement positive modifications.

“We want to change the player’s behaviour and ultimately reduce the risk of injury to themselves and opponents. This intervention is reviewed and overseen by an independent expert coaching review group and can only be undertaken once per player.

“Of the 100-plus players who have been through the programme, eight have had further red cards. Those players can’t apply twice and they will generally then receive longer suspensions from the judicial process as a repeat offender.

ADVERTISEMENT

“What we have seen in the 100-plus examples to date is a huge amount of transformative work being undertaken by participants and a genuine openness to change technique because of both the welfare and performance benefits of keeping players fit and on the field.”

England international Dan Kelly explained what tackle school did for him last year. He was cited for a foul tackle while playing for Leicester versus Saracens and his three-week ban was reduced by a week after he successfully completed the coaching intervention.

“I was glad I was able to take part in the programme,” he said. “It’s improved me as a player, and now, after doing the intervention, I’m better technically and overall, it’s bettered my game.”

Connacht coach Colm Tucker added: “I found the intervention opportunity really worthwhile. Following a player incident and subsequent one-to-one review, we began a three-step process and six-week plan on the back of our findings. It was also very beneficial to have an open dialogue with the independent assessor who I was able to speak with through the process.”

World Rugby CEO Alan Gilpin concluded: “The behavioural statistics and feedback have been overwhelmingly positive. It’s important to state that we are not saying that head contact is exclusively a player technique issue, as we will continue to work tirelessly to reduce the risk via law amendments and education, but good technique certainly contributes to reduced head injury risk, and we are encouraged that the players and coaches share this view.”

ADVERTISEMENT

Join free

Aotearoa Rugby Podcast | Episode 6

Sam Warburton | The Big Jim Show | Full Episode

Japan Rugby League One | Sungoliath v Eagles | Full Match Replay

Japan Rugby League One | Spears v Wild Knights | Full Match Replay

Boks Office | Episode 10 | Six Nations Final Round Review

Aotearoa Rugby Podcast | How can New Zealand rugby beat this Ireland team

Beyond 80 | Episode 5

Rugby Europe Men's Championship Final | Georgia v Portugal | Full Match Replay

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

A
Adrian 11 minutes ago
Will the Crusaders' decline spark a slow death for New Zealand rugby?

Thanks Nick The loss of players to OS, injury and retirement is certainly not helping the Crusaders. Ditto the coach. IMO Penny is there to hold the fort and cop the flak until new players and a new coach come through,…and that's understood and accepted by Penny and the Crusaders hierarchy. I think though that what is happening with the Crusaders is an indicator of what is happening with the other NZ SRP teams…..and the other SRP teams for that matter. Not enough money. The money has come via the SR competition and it’s not there anymore. It's in France, Japan and England. Unless or until something is done to make SR more SELLABLE to the NZ/Australia Rugby market AND the world rugby market the $s to keep both the very best players and the next rung down won't be there. They will play away from NZ more and more. I think though that NZ will continue to produce the players and the coaches of sufficient strength for NZ to have the capacity to stay at the top. Whether they do stay at the top as an international team will depend upon whether the money flowing to SRP is somehow restored, or NZ teams play in the Japan comp, or NZ opts to pick from anywhere. As a follower of many sports I’d have to say that the organisation and promotion of Super Rugby has been for the last 20 years closest to the worst I’ve ever seen. This hasn't necessarily been caused by NZ, but it’s happened. Perhaps it can be fixed, perhaps not. The Crusaders are I think a symptom of this, not the cause

6 Go to comments
T
Trevor 2 hours ago
Will forgotten Wallabies fit the Joe Schmidt model?

Thanks Brett.. At last a positive article on the potential of Wallaby candidates, great to read. Schmidt’s record as an international rugby coach speaks for itself, I’m somewhat confident he will turn the Wallaby’s fortunes around …. on the field. It will be up to others to steady the ship off the paddock. But is there a flaw in my optimism? We have known all along that Australia has the players to be very competitive with their international rivals. We know that because everyone keeps telling us. So why the poor results? A question that requires a definitive answer before the turn around can occur. Joe Schmidt signed on for 2 years, time to encompass the Lions tour of 2025. By all accounts he puts family first and that’s fair enough, but I would wager that his 2 year contract will be extended if the next 18 months or so shows the statement “Australia has the players” proves to be correct. The new coach does not have a lot of time to meld together an outfit that will be competitive in the Rugby Championship - it will be interesting to see what happens. It will be interesting to see what happens with Giteau law, the new Wallaby coach has already verbalised that he would to prefer to select from those who play their rugby in Australia. His first test in charge is in July just over 3 months away .. not a long time. I for one wish him well .. heaven knows Australia needs some positive vibes.

21 Go to comments
B
Bull Shark 6 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

29 Go to comments
TRENDING
TRENDING 'It's an All Black discussion': The pair of young Hurricanes tipped for black jerseys The pair of young Hurricanes tipped for black jerseys
Search