Data shows NRL’s high-contact crackdown is a myth, with more players concussed making tackles

The NRL may have launched a crackdown on high shots, but statistics show that foul play is far from the biggest cause of concussions, writes TRAVIS MEYN.

Here is proof the NRL’s high contact crackdown is a myth.

A spate of penalties, sin bins and suspensions overshadowed some cracking Round 5 games which went to the last minute, and even extra-time when it came to the Eels and Dragons.

But the overall theme being discussed from the weekend was the NRL’s blitz on high tackles and dangerous contact.

After missing some clear infringements the week prior, match officials were told to clean up their act by head office.

But if the reasoning behind the crackdown is to improve player safety, the NRL is barking up the wrong tree.

That is because more players suffer head injuries defending than attacking.

That’s right – you are more likely to suffer a concussion making tackles, as opposed to carrying the ball.

Brendan Piakura was knocked out trying to tackle Alex Twal low. Picture: Getty Images

The NRL wouldn’t provide the full data and statistics, but confirmed the majority of head injuries in recent years were suffered by defenders.

The percentage range provided for recent seasons was around the 60-40 to 70-30 mark, leaning towards the tackler being concussed more often than the ball-carrier.

It was there to be seen in Saturday night’s Broncos-Tigers clash at Suncorp Stadium.

Young Tigers halfback Latu Fainu was left dazed after getting his head in the wrong spot trying to tackle Broncos centre Kotoni Staggs.

With two minutes to go in the game, Broncos forward Brendan Piakura had to be medicabbed from the field after attempting to tackle Tigers prop Alex Twal.

Latu Fainu was forced off the field after a tackle gone wrong on Kotoni Staggs. Picture: NRL Imagery

Referee Liam Kennedy blew 15 penalties and nine set restarts – 24 infringements – which meant he interfered in the game every three minutes.

But it was two incidents that didn’t warrant penalties that caused the most damage.

Former Maroons hit man Trevor Gillmeister said he felt “sick in the guts” seeing Piakura get knocked out like that.

The NRL may have launched a crackdown on high shots, but statistics show that poor tackling technique is responsible for more concussions than foul play.

Gillmeister was one of the game’s great defenders, but his ‘hit low’ philosophy is no longer as effective in the NRL because wrestling has taken over in the past 20 years.

Matches are mostly decided by which team can control the play-the-ball speed better.

The players are coached to hit higher than they were in the 1980s when wrestling coaches weren’t part of a football department.

They are told to wrap up the ball and get their opponent into an awkward position on the ground so they take longer to stand up and play it.

So when a crackdown starts in round five, the players are more likely to get it wrong as they try to alter their ‘impact zone’ on the fly.

Piakura was sin-binned for a high tackle that appeared to cause minimal damage, but was concussed himself trying to tackle low. Picture: Getty Images

Piakura was sin-binned in the 20th minute, and later suspended for two games, for a tackle he got wrong on Tigers prop Terrell May, that appeared to cause minimal damage.

An hour later he was out cold on the Suncorp turf for another tackle he got wrong, this time going low.

The NRL has never been cleaner on the field. The days of the swinging arm, or malicious high tackle, are over. The players know they can’t risk a six-week suspension and the outrage that comes with it.

League Central has the right ambition when it comes to protecting the health and future of their players. No-one is arguing with that.

But they would be better served channelling that into reducing wrestling and improving coaching at all levels when it comes to tackle technique.

A heavy-contact sport like rugby league will never be free from head injuries, but maybe then there’d be no need for a mid-season crackdown.

Originally published as Data shows NRL’s high-contact crackdown is a myth, with more players concussed making tackles