These days I am no longer refereeing rugby matches, but because you already know the laws you tend to keep up and follow them. The law changes coming through each year are more about player safety even though rugby is a
contact sport so injuries will always happen.
Earlier this week the World Rugby Executive Board approved a couple of changes with regard to tackling laws. The knee drop tackle is banned immediately and the hip drop banned from November 1st.
Both of these tackle techniques are rare with the exception of the knee drop which is on the rise. Both of these tackles are deemed dangerous because the tackler is using his weight to bring the player down which could trap the legs and cause serious injuries.
All the focus up till now has been about lowering the tackle height so there is no head contact due to injuries that could over time end up with brain trauma. This is like blowing into the wind because a heavy tackle hitting in your mid drift could be the same effect as car crash resulting in whip lash and this tackle had no head contact.
The hip drop tackle has the tackler hitting the ground first and happens from the side or behind the tackled player. There is no momentum knocking the player backwards and is mainly used by players who are heavier than their opponent. The weight of the player is being used to make the tackle and not the technique. The above photograph is a prime example of this and shows the ankle about to be trapped by the full weight of the tackler. Tonight whilst watching Glasgow versus Connaught I have already seen 3 of these types of tackles performed by front row players "tackling" quicker players running past them. Whilst writing this post another 5 of these tackles so within 20 minutes I have spotted 8 already so players do need to adapt quickly.
The knee drop is when a tackler goes to his knee before tackling a player and the only reason for this rise in technique is to be able to get back to your feet in order to claim possession of the ball first. This is also tackling a player from behind because this would not work using this technique head on and the tackler would be dominated in the collision.
We had the grass cutter tackles which are impossible to execute unless you are on the ground yourself so this tackle above would now be illegal as you are not deemed part of play if your knees are touching the ground. The grass cutter or chopping tackle was effective, but was also dangerous.
Even though I applaud these adjustments to the rules I do question the timings as why introduce one immediately and delay the other one by a month. If they are dangerous then they should be bought into effect immediately. Players know this is a cheat type tackle and you do see players in a different light whether they have the correct tackling skills or not. This could change how teams set up on defense as certain players only know this hip drop tackle.