The only way they could prove that would result in the NRL becoming the NFL.
Which, if the AFL class action gets any traction, could also see the end of most physical contact in the NRL. It surprises me there isn't more talk about this given the potential repercussions for rugby league
I haven't heard about it. I do tend to be 'league myopic' though!
It's hard to describe to a woman (or guy who just doesn't get it I guess?), but I think there is a somewhat primal instinct that makes running as hard as you can into some huge dude as he does his best to put a good hit on you just so fun!
Then you get to try to tackle someone as hard as you can! What's not to love about that?!
*okay, so I was never the huge dude, and I'm 50 and tomorrow is my anniversary; Of my total hip replacement!
...probably wasn't the wisest decision in hindsight! 🤣
Apologies for blabbing, but I have similar conversations about mma and boxing.
My point is, no one is holding a gun to players' heads. It may be muddied by young kids' glamourised dreams of growing up and playing nrl/w, but I think as long as people know there are risks, are adults and have no cognitive deficiencies (yet?!), they should be able to do what they want.
Parents letting their kids play could be an issue though - especially at ages where there can be big size differences (I've seen young girls just terrorise boys the same age!).
I don't know where the nrl or afl are heading in this area (pardon the pun!), but very physical, and even violent, sport has been around for centuries, and using the ufc as an example, are extremely popular and profitable. You only need to go back to Zuffa selling the ufc a few years back for 4 billion dollars.
Rugby league is a tough sport. It's a huge reason people both play and watch.
But no one wants people's lives destroyed by it. It's pretty heartbreaking seeing Mario Fenech, Ian Roberts. Things are immeasurably better handled these days (I was once knocked out during a game and allowed to drive myself home despite forgetting my own name and knowing I lived with my mate "somewhere that way". Scary.).
It's interesting to see where things go. There are plenty of points for and against.
Hopefully things work out and are decided by open minded people who can listen and genuinely consider views different to their own.
