NRL: International Sports Sciences Forum endorses crackdown on foul play

A global sports science body believes the NRL is doing the right thing by implementing a crackdown on high tackles.

The International Sports Sciences Forum endorses the NRL’s crackdown on high shots. Picture: Michael Dodge/Getty Images

The NRL’s crackdown on high shots has received global support, with the International Sports Sciences Forum backing the code’s tough stance on foul play.

The ISSF has more than 120 leading doctors, neurologists, psychiatrists, businesspeople, politicians and players from more than 16 countries and five continents behind their “call” to government and sports administrators to “rewrite” the playing rules on high tackles and other “unsafe practices”.

It also wants the prevention of all “preventable” injuries, and/or illnesses occurring while athletes are practising and preparing for games – whether the athlete is paid or non-paid.

Forum founder and general convener Enrique Rodriguez, a former international rugby union player who represented his native Argentina and Australia, said it was medically proven that “there is no such thing as a safe, violent blow to the head”.

High tackles are in the firing of the new NRL crackdown. Picture: AAP Image/David Moir

Rodriguez said all research was now showing the long-term negative effect of high tackles on players in contact sport.

He endorsed the call by Australian Rugby League Commission chairman Peter V’landys for the NRL to eliminate any contact above the shoulders.

“The commission made a clear decision this season to remove high tackles from the game, and this brings them into line with the AFL and rugby union,” Rodriguez said.

“However, all three codes need to get ‘on side’ with medical science and the health and welfare of the players. Commentators and fans need to support the commission and ‘do the right thing’ by players and their families.

“Super coach Wayne Bennett is totally correct in highlighting that the NRL will face legal ramifications if it does not enforce the new rules.

“If you do not support the work of medical professionals and allow for evidence-based research to take precedence, you will be sentencing your sport to become a purely adults-only activity for self-consenting people who should be held fully (100 per cent) responsible for the consequences of this type of entertainment.”

The ISSF last month called for a radical overhaul of the current concussion rules and regulations of contact sport for the long-term health of players, both men and women.

Originally published as NRL: International Sports Sciences Forum endorses crackdown on foul play