HOPEFULLY the powers-that-be will not stint on making tackling safer. I’d be happier if everyone acknowledged that the point of contact has to be a lot lower, and players shouldn’t be allowed to get away with it just because they’ve tried to wrap their arms around the opposition player. That Piers Francis ‘tackle’ is a case in point, as is the Reece Hodge ‘tackle ’– both players have tried to wrap their arms, but I’m not happy calling either impact a tackle.
Coaches, players and pundits all speak of the need to win the collisions –...