Re: 2024 Rule Changes : Sat Feb 24, 2024 10:59 am  

Seth wrote:

How is it a bit rich of current players expressing their views? Their feelings are entirely independent of the former players, they're not connected in any way, any more than yours or mine are.

When are boxing and MMA going to get looked at or is it just that they can afford payouts that concussion and head knocks are ok there?

I've no problem with them expressing their views. I just find the clamour for a players's union rich because it's the actions of ex players who are suing the game that has caused this.

As for boxing and MMA, essentially, yes, they can afford the additional insurance and medical costs, as can the NFL.

RL's insurance costs are at least doubling every few years FOR THE LOWEST LEVEL OF COVERAGE, the game can't sustain that cost.

Re: 2024 Rule Changes : Sat Feb 24, 2024 11:00 am  

In RU you would have to outlaw rucks and mauls for a start if you proceed with the logic around head contact. It’s frankly a joke.

The elephant in the room is that neither code of rugby can survive this direction of travel. It will become a different sport more akin to tag.

Re: 2024 Rule Changes : Sat Feb 24, 2024 11:04 am  

Jack Burton wrote:

I've no problem with them expressing their views. I just find the clamour for a players's union rich because it's the actions of ex players who are suing the game that has caused this.

As for boxing and MMA, essentially, yes, they can afford the additional insurance and medical costs, as can the NFL.

RL's insurance costs are at least doubling every few years FOR THE LOWEST LEVEL OF COVERAGE, the game can't sustain that cost.

Where has this been reported? You've mentioned it before but I don't think I've ever read about it. Do you have a link?

Re: 2024 Rule Changes : Sat Feb 24, 2024 11:05 am  

Jack Burton wrote:

I've no problem with them expressing their views. I just find the clamour for a players's union rich because it's the actions of ex players who are suing the game that has caused this.

As for boxing and MMA, essentially, yes, they can afford the additional insurance and medical costs, as can the NFL.

RL's insurance costs are at least doubling every few years FOR THE LOWEST LEVEL OF COVERAGE, the game can't sustain that cost.

I don’t know enough about it but I doubt insurers are setting the rules, they will be looking for risk mitigation. The only way to mitigate the risk is not to play. They are there to make profit; they are not interested in insuring RL with the trends in litigation.

Where do you suggest we go with this?

Re: 2024 Rule Changes : Sat Feb 24, 2024 11:09 am  

Again, their views are not connected in any way to former players so that's nothing to do with them, theyre not happy with their working conditions so a collective union is the right course of action.

There won't be professional game for them to worry about affording if this is the continued direction of travel. And rules may be more strict but in real terms will that actually affect insurance costs because you cant eliminate risk.

Re: 2024 Rule Changes : Sat Feb 24, 2024 11:14 am  

For 35 years I was privileged to play, watch and coach the game. I will remind myself of that when it has been completely destroyed.

Re: 2024 Rule Changes : Sat Feb 24, 2024 11:16 am  

We need to think more creatively. Players are going to have to disclaim and accept more risk, and insurance needs to be sorted - maybe codes of rugby combine and form their own regulated insurance product which satisfies legals.

Re: 2024 Rule Changes : Sat Feb 24, 2024 11:20 am  

Seth wrote:

I look forward another rehashing of the rules when more and more tacklers are getting concussed getting knees, elbows and hips to the head.

The data seems to suggest that head clashes have the highest risk factor to cause a head injury, (which may explains why even accidental head to head contact is punished), and tackles made around the torso have the lowest risk factor. The risk factor is 3 or 4 times lower.

Re: 2024 Rule Changes : Sat Feb 24, 2024 11:23 am  

It’s just weak to screw the game completely on the whim of underwriters. We need an effective way to mitigate risk to players long term health.

What we are looking at now is the reality that insurers don’t want to touch rugby with a barge pole because the risk of loss is too high and they make profit.

RL inherently induces injury. It is inherently risky. We’re being driven by bean counters and nannies. We can significantly reduce the risk or ongoing brain injury and still have an amazing sport; these things are not mutually exclusive and I reject the current approach.

Re: 2024 Rule Changes : Sat Feb 24, 2024 11:24 am  

Jack Burton wrote:

The data seems to suggest that head clashes have the highest risk factor to cause a head injury, (which may explains why even accidental head to head contact is punished), and tackles made around the torso have the lowest risk factor. The risk factor is 3 or 4 times lower.

I’d love someone to explain to me what possible point there is in punishing an accident.