: Thu Mar 26, 2009 3:43 pm  

lurchio wrote:

id have thought it was standard to change the height of your shoulder in the tackle, ie get lower. if your upright your only going one way; backwards.

a few years ago we were seeing players in the NRL leaping into tackles to make shoulder charges so it did happen before the cleared it up.

in the nrl the problem was players coming from the blindside

RE burrows - you need to be proactive not reactive. no good just waiting til a 5'4'' player comes along with rubbish feet and gets decapitated.

he simply wouldnt get to sl level

and people who say that its the attackers responsibility. what happens when a players slipping a tackle but still gets slowed down/held up. he's just an easy target for one of these tackles, particularly if he stumbles. and yes, i have seen this happen

there are was and means of protecting yourself, even then

: Thu Mar 26, 2009 3:49 pm  

First time I've really commented on the tackle due to the mass hysteria over the week on these boards.

I thought the challenge was a good one and the 'blame' lies with Fa'asavalu for the way he went in. He tilted his head downwards and used no evasive movement at all, Bailey stood his ground and Maurie came off second best.

The problem for me lies with the rules being anything but clear. The tackle wasn't deliberate, wasn't careless or reckless either yet it did connect with the head so it could be interpreted as a high one (generally by those who haven't played the game I'd think).

At the end of the day, it isn't a girls game and tough challenges are going to happen. Maurie lost this one, I'd imagine we'll see round 2 in a week between them and I for one, cannot wait.

: Thu Mar 26, 2009 4:05 pm  

Stirlingshire Saint wrote:

I thought the challenge was a good one and the 'blame' lies with Fa'asavalu for the way he went in. He tilted his head downwards and used no evasive movement at all, Bailey stood his ground and Maurie came off second best.

That's the point Cullen and O'Connor were making on Boots n All last night. If Bailey had moved, left the floor, or anything like that then there was something to talk about. As it was, all he did was brace himself for the hit, it was Maurie who chose to run into him.

Also, I think that is a slight distinction between this tackle and the one on Burrow in the WCC. On that occasion, it was the opponent, Watmough, who moved in order to make the tackle. If the attacker choses to enter into the collision, he's got a bigger duty of care as to where his head is.

: Thu Mar 26, 2009 4:12 pm  

SmokeyTA wrote:

in the nrl the problem was players coming from the blindside

he simply wouldnt get to sl level

there are was and means of protecting yourself, even then

3 points:

what difference does it matter what side your coming from?

there are always gonna be exceptions, someone short with fantastic hands for example

you shouldnt have to protect your head from a tackle when your upright, thats why we have the head hight rule in the first place. if your going down likewise. im not saying we need to change the rules just tidy them up regarding the shoulder being classed as the arm and thus head high

: Thu Mar 26, 2009 4:27 pm  

Lord_Percy wrote:

That's the point Cullen and O'Connor were making on Boots n All last night. If Bailey had moved, left the floor, or anything like that then there was something to talk about. As it was, all he did was brace himself for the hit, it was Maurie who chose to run into him.

Bailey did move though, didn't he? I seem to recall he shifted forward with his teammates to make the challenge.

Once he got there it was just one of those things that happens in the game but still a penalty for me as Bailey's shoulder contact was with the head. In all likelihood Bailey and Fa'asavalu will have had their eyes closed at the moment of impact as that's the natural thing to do unless you're Syd Hynes.

: Thu Mar 26, 2009 4:27 pm  

lurchio wrote:

3 points:

what difference does it matter what side your coming from?

the blindside is, well blind and the attacker cannot prepare

there are always gonna be exceptions, someone short with fantastic hands for example

if their feet are that bad it wouldnt matter

you shouldnt have to protect your head from a tackle when your upright, thats why we have the head hight rule in the first place. if your going down likewise. im not saying we need to change the rules just tidy them up regarding the shoulder being classed as the arm and thus head high

you should always protect yourself, why reward poor play which is what maurie did

: Thu Mar 26, 2009 4:29 pm  

tvoc wrote:

Bailey did move though, didn't he? I seem to recall he shifted forward with his teammates to make the challenge.

Once he got there it was just one of those things that happens in the game but still a penalty for me as Bailey's shoulder contact was with the head. In all likelihood Bailey and Fa'asavalu will have had their eyes closed at the moment of impact as that's the natural thing to do unless you're Syd Hynes.

the head made as much contact with shoulder as the shoulder made with the head

: Thu Mar 26, 2009 4:29 pm  

tvoc wrote:

Bailey did move though, didn't he? I seem to recall he shifted forward with his teammates to make the challenge.

Once he got there it was just one of those things that happens in the game but still a penalty for me as Bailey's shoulder contact was with the head. In all likelihood Bailey and Fa'asavalu will have had their eyes closed at the moment of impact as that's the natural thing to do unless you're Syd Hynes.

the head made as much contact with shoulder as the shoulder made with the head

: Thu Mar 26, 2009 4:32 pm  

tvoc wrote:

Bailey did move though, didn't he? I seem to recall he shifted forward with his teammates to make the challenge.

Once he got there it was just one of those things that happens in the game but still a penalty for me as Bailey's shoulder contact was with the head. In all likelihood Bailey and Fa'asavalu will have had their eyes closed at the moment of impact as that's the natural thing to do unless you're Syd Hynes.

You're probably right, although I'm not sure Bailey had time to respond to Fa'asavalu dropping his head. And even if he had, his body position was such that he'd have been flattened, had he tried to readjust his stance (no doubt to accompanying cheers from the saints fans).

: Thu Mar 26, 2009 4:35 pm  

I think Cullen got it spot on, both on the night and last night.

As much stick as he may get from Wire fans and whoever else about his lack of personality, I've warmed to him over the last few weeks and his knowledge of the game is good to listen to.