Mackay Rugby Union endorses new tackle laws set to be trialled at community level

Trials which could have major ramifications on rugby union at the elite level are beginning on our doorstep this season. Find out what’s in store, and how the MRU president has responded.

Below the sternum tackles such as this will be acceptable in Mackay Rugby Union in 2024. Picture: Supplied.

Protecting the head.

Like it or not, it has to happen.

That’s a growing belief in all contact sports and Rugby Australia and Mackay Rugby Union have thrown their support behind it in 2024.

In what could be considered the most drastic change yet to protect the head in Australian sport, Rugby Australia will be undertaking a tackle height trial for the next two seasons, per a World Rugby recommendation that is set to lower the tackle height below the sternum.

“The new law (9.13) will see dangerous tackling deemed to include, but not limited to, tackling or attempting to tackle an opponent above the line of the sternum,” a Rugby Australia statement said.

Proserpine-Whitsunday taking on Brothers in Mackay Rugby Union. Picture: Supplied.

The rule will take effect from February 10 at every level below Super Rugby in Australia, with the trial concluding at the end of the 2025 season.

“I think it’ll be good for the game,” Mackay Rugby Union president Sam Miller said.

“People are saying you can’t tackle anymore, you’ve got between the sternum and the hip, it’s a fair target still.

“It’ll probably just encourage people to be more conscious when they go to tackle, and in theory will open up more free-flowing rugby with offloads and stuff like that, I’m interested to see how it all pans out.”

Mackay Rugby Union players contest a scrum. Picture: Supplied.

Before passing on its recommendation to every nation’s governing body, World Rugby endorsed trials in France and South Africa which demonstrated that lowering the tackle height reduced the number of head-on-head contacts and concussions.

World Rugby also stated that ball-in-play time and offloading increased as a result of the trial, and that there was an upturn of player participation in France.

“Transition takes time and people are generally adverse to change,” Miller said, citing how many thought taking the shoulder charge out of rugby league would “wreck” the sport.

“It’s not an ideal situation, rugby’s a game where the head gets touched, it’s just part of the game,” he continued.

“What Australian Rugby is trying to do is lessen the possibility as much as they can.

“Maybe there’s some tweaks that will get made in the years to come, but the reality is they’re taking a proactive step to stem the effects of head trauma.”

A representative from Queensland Rugby will travel to Mackay to meet with Mackay Rugby Union, referees, and club representatives in the coming weeks to ensure the new tackle requirements can be introduced smoothly.