Peter Burke
This idea that a player can avoid a ban extension if he attends ‘Tackle School’ or the official name for it which is more laughable from World Rugby, ‘The coaching intervention Programme’. Would you give us a break here and stop with this nonsense.
A player who is playing at the top level of his game for a number of years that doesnt know how to tackle properly well really shouldnt be playing Pro rugby. Its farcical by World Rugby to think ‘Tackle School’ will solve that issue, its a joke.
There’s loads of examples, and as a colleague pointed out and said ‘Sure Owen Farrell would have a masters degree at this stage from Tackle School’. It is an absolute fundamental flaw in World Rugbys management of the laws of our game, its borderline disgraceful. They seem deaf to the noise that is being created around the upcoming law suit being taken by 400 plus ex players, both union and league, for head injuries sustained over the course of their careers.
The ex chair of World Rugby, Bill Beaumont, thankfully now retired, made zero effort to arrest this obvious mis step by the powers that be to address the situation. They simply bended the knee to the Southern Hemisphere nations and gave them what they wanted, an idiotic 20 minute red card, who or what function does that serve? Well obviously no one, its a side step by World Rugby and a weakness in leadership by them, by most fans i’ve spoken with ‘It’s a disgrace’.
I’m not just having a go at Ntamack as there is countless cases before him its just his is the most recent.
‘The disciplinary committee determined that the mid-range entry point of six weeks/matches was appropriate but reduced this to three after the player accepted he committed an act of foul play, along with Ntamack’s exemplary disciplinary record.
The player was also given permission to apply to take part in World Rugby’s Coaching Intervention Programme to substitute the final match of his sanction, meaning he should be available to face Ireland on 8 March.’
This is ridiculous stuff, like a thief saying in court ‘Oh but your honor i didn’t mean to rob him’, would you get away out of that. This idiotic arrangement needs to stop, a red card is there for a reason, dangerous play and you’re off with a potential ban.
‘Former player and World Cup winner Steve Thompson believes rugby is “flogging the players until they literally fall apart” amid plans to introduce a new Club World Cup tournament in 2028.
Thompson, 45, was diagnosed with early onset dementia in 2020 and has previously said he cannot remember playing in England’s World Cup final win over Australia in 2003 or being awarded an MBE by the Queen afterwards.
The former front-row is one of more than 200 retired players named in a lawsuit against three of the sport’s governing bodies, including World Rugby and the Rugby Football Union, alleging they suffered brain injuries during their careers.’
Of course we have our own who are trumpeting this cause most notably David Corkery.
Now if the above doesnt wake up World Rugby to the reality of the situation and stop the money grab maybe just maybe our game has a future and the 20 minute red card is an absolute joke, World Rugby are you listening? doubt it.
Well said. I totally agree. If six weeks is the sanction then six weeks it is. No mitigation. Like you comment they are professional players and already know the rules.