World Rugby’s new directives for punishing high tackles come into effect last week, increasing the severity of the punishment for reckless high tackles, whose minimum sanction is a yellow card and maximum a red, fortified with increases in the accompanying bans.
The force has certainly been felt locally. As the West Asia Premiership returned after a brief hiatus at the weekend, Bahrain held on for a crucial 22-19 victory at The Sevens after captain Adam Wallace was sent off for a dangerously high shoulder tackle late on.
In the UAE Conference clash between Dubai Wasps and Abu Dhabi Saracens 2nds, meanwhile, three players were dismissed by the referee – all for high tackles.
Although the majority of clubs and players understan
d the changes, the fact that rugby in the UAE is an amateur sport has them fearing for the future.
“I think that that theory behind the law is sensible and players need to look after each other on the pitch as head knocks are sadly becoming increasingly common in the game,” said Dragons skipper and scrum-half Ross Samson.
“We lost two players in the last two seasons to concussion issues – Taif Delamie (ex-captain) and Jonny MacDonald (now assistant coach) so we are more sympathetic to it than anyone.
“The risk for this league is that the playing base is relatively small and lengthy bans for a straight red card could seriously impact teams’ ability to field a competitive team.
“For example, the Bahrain captain got a red card at the weekend – which was probably a fair call if we go by the letter of the new directives but there was no malice or intent to hurt our player so I feel a six-week ban would be overkill and Bahrain could potentially be without their best player and captain for the rest of the season. For me the potential punishment doesn’t fit the crime.
Bahrain captain Adam Wallace.
“As players all we want is consistency from the referees week to week. Only time will tell but from the other captains’ feedback from the weekend some refs will be more willing to brandish the red card than others.”
For his part, Bahrain coach Louie Tonkin had no complaints with Wallace’s sending off.
He said: “The red was 100 per cent justified. With the new amendments to the law last week, it was 100 per cent a red card.”
Wasps had two players dismissed in their 24-5 defeat at Sarries, a result later changed to a 20-0 win in their favour due to Sarries fielding ineligible players.
And the new rules have them concerned.
Wasps chairman Ben Rothwell said: “Obviously we understand the pressure refs are coming under from UAE Rugby Federation and World Rugby but it’ll have a serious impact on the game out here as games will be reduced to ridiculous numbers.
“No-one likes seeing head injuries and concussions but most of those stem from head in contact with knees etc from low tackles, and accidental collisions. I don’t think there’s a major issue with concussion caused by arm to head type injuries.
“In the professional game, the hits are harder, they’re genuine full time athletes. There is more control so you expect higher standards.
“In our game we have amateurs playing part-time rugby. Mistakes happens, and riding up from a chest high contact and brushing the fact shouldn’t warrant a red.”
Wasps player Andy Hefft also claims education is key, as the referee seem obliged to eject all three players in the game, despite a lcak of maliciousness in all three incidents.
“It’s going to have a big impact in my opinion,” he said.
“Although I agree with trying to reduce head impacts and injuries, I believe there needs to be some element of intent for it to warrant a red card. All three red cards in our game had no intent whatsoever and both teams and referees agreed on this.
“However, under the new rules the officials were left with no option. With a rule changing that can have such an impact on how players approach tackles, all teams and referees should have a full briefing on the exact ruling as many players and refs do not fully understand the difference between a yellow and a red for a high tackle under the ruling.”
