Didn't want to derail the cannonball discussion for this but recently when debating problems around the play the ball a mate suggested that the sport restrict tackles to only one man at a time.
He suggested it would:

1. Prevent slowing tactics at the ruck slowing the game down to much
2. Allow refs to concentrate on the offside line
3. Allow ball steals every tackle
4. Prevent dangerous wrestling techniques
5. Reduce the chances of an attacker being lifted
6. Reduce interference at the play the ball

I'm not convinced. Although I can see his point, I'm sure it would alter the game dramatically in other ways and it could become almost too fast for many spectators and more like touch.

Anyway as he's a confirmed Luddite so I promised I'd ask the most opinionated RL forum in the world for it's opinion.

So what do people think the consequences of such a rule would be?

I don't understand how it would work in practice. Would you be stuck always marking the same guy or would it be a case of whoever gets their first has to be the tackler?

Its likely to make goaline defence unworkable, its very difficult to stop an 18 stone powerhouse with forward momentum from 10m away with a 1 on 1.

Ridiculous suggestion.

Same as now, first in. But as another poster suggested, mismatches would become key nearer the line as big blokes attacking would have the advantage.

This amongst a hundred other reasons.

We debated something like this last season and came up with the suggestion of maximum 2 players in the tackle up to the last 20 metres, this could reduce the wrestling fiasco and produce quicker PTB's resulting in a bit more game intensity.

Nah. Would make the game ridiculous.

We should allow as many tacklers as the defence wants. We should just bring in rules and punishments that ensure the safety of the attacker.

We've already got a few, but as the game evolves so should the rules in order to prevent unnecessary injuries and risk to player safety.

They should bring it in for this season. Mose Masoe would be pretty unstoppable.

But, it's not a realistic scenario. It would make the game all about big tacklers and remove any need to be creative with your attacking. A limit on the number of tacklers is an idea though, but it wouldn't be one.

One man tackles all game would make the play the ball far too quick, it would be impossible to defend and as an attacker all you would have to do is scoot every tackle. If you've ever played rugby league you know how horrible it is to be defending against a team who are constantly finding their fronts, only getting 2 men in the tackle and getting a quick play the ball. It's absolutely horrible and those periods of the game are where you're gonna concede the most points. The level of fitness necessary would increased massively meaning players would be dramatically less big and powerful to compensate. This is also ignoring the resulting issues with junior/amateur level - how many amateurs are we gonna lose unable to keep up with the speed of the game if it is THAT fast a play the ball?

After his first length of the field try from the first kick off, he would be done for the game.

We'd get scores of 104-92 on a regular basis.

Works for the NBA, stop looking for reasons why it won't work

I have read some barmy ideas on here over the years, but this takes the biscuit...

It really is a non starter.

There's some mileage in limiting the number of defenders allowed in a tackle, but 1 is a stupid idea, for all the reasons that have already been stated.

The real flaw is the assumption that players can tackle!

An awful lot can't!

Why not just put the ball on the floor and kick it?

As stupid suggestions go this has to be the worse I've ever heard