Starting this Friday with the World club challenge .I must admit it could/has caused some serious damage especially when a player is relaxed after releasing the ball.
It seams its only for Internationals

Problem with this is, because we failed to make the change to our domestic game in the off season, our players will be at even more of a disadvantage to the Aussies and kiwis, who will have had a full season to get used to this and alter their style of play before the World Cup.

We'll just end up being penalised all over the shop as usual. Should be 1 sport 1 set of rules, end of

How hard is it to take on board the fact that you can't shoulder charge?

About as hard as it is to take on board that you can't tackle above the shoulders or strip the ball?

No, easier than that if they take on board that they are supposed to use hands and arms to effect a tackle. We haven't many brain dead rugby players these days, have we?

You have to be partly crazy to play rugby

It is now banned for all games with immediate effect.

Well at least that makes sense and aligns the domestic scene with the International game.

We'll have 2 refs too soon once for each half of the pitch. Plus a reserve ref a reserve touch judge plus an assessor.



I think it makes sense to ban the shoulder charge.

Whatever next NO P/R and we`ll be fully alligned.........Can`t wait for the Internationals were we can appoint our own referees just like the Oz.

Is it really banned from all domestic games now Reffy?

This is the notification to refs.:-

"To all Match Officials

The RFL Board of Directors have today agreed to the Law change that will
mean that the shoulder charge will not be a legal tackle in all RFL games
with immediate effect.

Anyone making a tackle must now do so using the arms or hands. Failure to do
this will result in a penalty being awarded. This applies to "hits" on the
ball carrier, hits on a player who has passed the ball, "hitting on
suspicion" and challenges on the kicker.

I have also attached the Referee Policy with guidelines on the shoulder
charge and the an updated version of the Laws of the Game.

While I appreciate that all this is very short notice I am confident that
you will be able to manage the situation this weekend with your usual
professional approach.

Stuart Cummings

Match Officials Director"

And this from Blake Solly, Laws Committee Secretary:-

"We had agreed with the RLIF the option to delay the implementation because we are in season, but the RFL Board has agreed that it is best to immediately implement the ban on the shoulder charge across all domestic competitions."

www.loverugbyleague.com/news_110 ... ffect.html

www.loverugbyleague.com/news_110 ... ffect.html

The people this impacts on are the players, i have read twitter and i cant find any players including ours who agree with the bsn, surely there views are most important.

No, their health is more important.

How long before it is played as 'tag rugby'?

I agree with fredparky
. I was never lucky enough to play our great sport, one of my regrets. However in all industries/jobs, the people who really know what they are on about are those undertaking the role, in this case rl players. Its a sad day imo for our great sport.to be fair to the rfl, they did not want to ban it. It seems they were somewhat forced into it.

Sad???? It is rule change not a funeral.

the players could all start wearing pads & crash helmets if that more preferable.

It would appear that like the intro of the new Rhino balls some players do not like the rule change -this from one who says he has never done one and probably wont but has been on the receiving end of a 'fair few'.

I tend not to have a go much at refs or the judiciary having served on one myself but it is time players views were taken into consideration before any rules are changed.

Blimey Fred - you'll be wanting the RFL to consider supporters' views next!

Heaven forbid

now now Alan you know in their eyes we don't exist but a players view well????

Why would you want players comments on law changes, they play to them rather than make them?

Well as players now sit on the discipline panel one would think that anyone with a modicum of sense would have consulted them after all it is a democracy we live in, but people are happy with a facist like point of view well.....