I played 7 seasons of it, and can say that's definitely true. I got 2 concussions in that time frame, both in training sessions & caused by members of my own team, both of them came from Helmet to Helmet contact, over a distance of less than 5 yards. Awareness from coaches is becoming better at least, with tackling techniques being altered to reduce the risk and gum shields are compulsory in Britain, your team can be penalised if a player doesn't have one in.

Classic risk compensation in action, the problem with helmets especially that they cause rotational brain injuries, the injury that is more likely to turn you into a vegetative state than a simple fractured skull.

Are you suggesting that he was assisted on Question of sport then? he was on that for aaages, so i recall.

Watching the Wales game now and I may suffer concussions after banging my head against the wall, that's compounded by listening to that pr1ck Inverdale first....

it's really poor, got in after a bike ride thought i'd see if it was going to be any good...wales blow two tries, one because their top winger hasn't got a clue how to get past his man and then two fatties getting in the way or wayward pass/not being able to draw the man and then kick, kick, kick, kick...more kicks..Wales get a break on the back of the SA FB bottling it.
Inverdale could take a bullet he's such a tw at. no doubt he'll be back at the bbeb for the autumn internationals

Not just Inverdale, the whole of the ITV coverage has been poor.

It could have been worse, they could have poached Jonathan Davies from the BBC.

Dunno who the commentary team were on R5 for the Scotland game but they left me thinking that Eddie and Stevo weren't actually all that bad

Wasn't Gavin Hastings a part of it? Kept seeing his quotes cropping up on the BBC Sport website feed, made Phil Clarke look fair and balanced.

What's wrong with Jiffy? At least he understands the game, and is quite prepared to mention Rugby League when it's relevant. Unlike that arch League hater Inverdale.

Good shout, he was. One of the others appears on A Question of Sport though I forget his name. The level of bile they directed towards the ref, who'd failed to consult the VR over a crucial decision, was unreal. After about ten mins someone in the studio pointed out that he could only have done so had foul play been involved. Which apparently it wasn't. They then spent another age moaning because the ref left the pitch too quickly. Very sore losers, their lack of grace and dignity was worse than I think I've heard in any commentary on any sport.

He is ab-so-lute-ly dread-ful.

Was it that idiot Dawson?

It was all over 5 Live Breakfast this morning - and carried over to Your Call; with everyone wailing and gnashing their teeth over the failure of Northern Hemisphere teams to beat Southern Hemisphere teams; some interesting theories about weather, head injuries and youth development, with no real admission that Southern Hemisphere teams appear to have decided to pass and run more, and score tries.

There was a big focus on the ref failing to consult the VR over the penalty for Australia - until an ex ref came on and pointed out that he wasn't allowed to consult in those circumstances. Then Hastings changed his tack to say it's not the decision he's annoyed about, but the fact that the ref left the field without shaking the players hands - which is against, apparently, Rugby's code of honour.

I texted in to say that the blame for both situations could be laid squarely at Sam Burgess' door - but they didn't read it out.

Jiffy is indeed terrible, for either code. The commentary has left something to be desired at times, but the studio pundits (esp. Fitzgerald) are generally pretty good.

I understand, although it's not being widely reported, that Craig Joubert also had stuff thrown at him as he left the pitch.

In the circumstances, I don't blame him for wanting to get out of there sharpish

The NH nations have only themselves to blame. They promote within their club rugby an emphasis on strong forward play and set-pieces. Forwards are taught only the skills the coaches consider they need to do their primary job, which is win and retain possession. South Africa often used Schalk Burger as an extra centre on Saturday, popping up lovely little passes in midfield. I can't think of a single Home Nations back rower who could have played in a similar style, because they're not encouraged to work on those parts of their game.

The "Big Four" (and I include Argentina, who for many years were the ultimate exponents of ten man rugby) have learned that there is more to be gained from keeping the ball out of contact than from endlessly ploughing into tackles and trying to recycle quick possession. They are essentially playing rugby league under the six tackle rule, while the NH nations are still trying to play under unlimited tackles with two yards and a cloud of dust being considered a good play.

For the sea change that is needed to take place, it needs someone to win the top prizes in European rugby playing an open, handling style and forcing everyone else to take a look at the way they play at club/provincial level. As it stands, the southern hemisphere is way in front and the gap is only increasing.

The old school tie brigade are out in force and indignant to the last about a decision which was probably correct and fairly officiated by the referee.

Yet, not one peep from any of them about the blatant knock on before the try that won Scotland the game and knocked Samoa out in the final group match.

There have been loads of dodgy calls, especially around the scrums, which the commentators/pundits have dismissed with a "dashed-bad-luck-chaps" attitude.

What makes me laugh is how they're all obsessing over the final penalty decision, which he wasn't allowed to refer to the TMO. The decision they should be focussing on was the sin binning earlier in the match, which the TMO had a good look at. That should never have been a yellow card, and during that 10 minute period the Aussies gained 4 points over Scotland (i.e. more than the winning margin).

No idea as to whether or not the ref's decision was right, but wondering how much attention is being given to the Aussies' attempts to throw the match away in the closing stages, first with a pathetic attempt at a clearing kick which was easily charged down and led to a Scots try in the corner, and second with a wild pass across their own posts which provided a gift interception and try under the sticks. That's 12 points thrown away by incredibly sloppy play.

It was hilariously cringeworthy listening to various ex players and indeed even the Scottish 9 when interviewed about the game/incident.
It was clearly an incorrect decision, the Australian player flicks the ball back into the waiting hands of wee jock. Earlier knock on by Scotland so it was a scrum to Australia, but as others have said the referee wasn't allowed to check the TMO, I thought it was pretty clear what had happened the first time of asking but that's sport for you and yes Scotland have had a few favours their way already.
Argentina pretty much did a 'New Zealand', very light but mobile pack, (almost 5kg a man lighter than Ireland) not commiting men to the ruck, excellent passing with dummy runners. They just lost form and went back to the old ways for a period and the chip over the top by the SH was crazy high risk when they where fully in control. If they can contain themselves and continue playing the way they can then it'll be the pumas in the final. Can't see past NZ to win it though tbh.

To be fair, the SH teams have been light years ahead in this area as well, for at least a couple of years now.

I'll be at the three England v NZ tests but also looking forward to watching the BBC recordings after each match.

Would love a 3-0 England series win.

Would be a great follow up to the RU World Cup becoming the farce it has. Hoping in that game it is a repeat of the 2013 RL World Cup final but with NZ beating Aus. We know the grounds will still be full of the corporate free loaders etc but what a 2nd rate farce the RU 6 nations will now be - a play off for 5th best in the world! Ha

I've just let a US blogger on YT know about the three test series. he seemed genuinely interested in watching it. I'm coming up to the KC and popping round the corner to the Olympic stadium (40 minute drive), can't wait.

Noticed league got a mention on the 5 live sports bulletin yesterday. Apparently someone from the South Wales crusaders has been banned for 8 games for mis conduct. Fascinating stuff, no mention of a test series though.

Typical BBC. Focusing on the negative in Rugby League.