What a disgraceful day in our sport

[Newtown]

Rugby League rules with regards to when a player is seen as "tackled" appear to change every couple of years. Not long ago the referee would call out "held" if the player's forward progress was stopped. If the defence continued with the tackle they would be penalised. These days it seems O.K. for the tackle to continue even though the attackers forward progress is clearly stopped. A clear case of this happening regularly is when a player has fielded a kick or a pass just outside the tryline he is defending. Even if the player makes it to 10 metres outside the tryline and inside the field of play before his forward progress is stopped defenders are allowed to pile onto him in their numbers and continue to push him beyond the tryline. No penalty is awarded but who will be the next player to be seriously injured due to this very dangerous but currently legal practice?

 

[Goose]

I think it is grossly unfair how McLean is being attacked on this forum and other areas.
The tackle was not in the top 10 lifting tackles last weekend, it was a horrible, horrible result, however this does not mean McLean should be punished severely

 

[Marshall_magic]

I think it is grossly unfair how McLean is being attacked on this forum and other areas.
The tackle was not in the top 10 lifting tackles last weekend, it was a horrible, horrible result, however this does not mean McLean should be punished severely

O'Donnell on Boyd in origin a few years back is still the worst lifting tackle I've ever seen, and this wasn't in the same ballpark (I think that one got 10 weeks from memory although I may be completely off). This one wasn't malicious but it was a case of McKinnon anticipating the tackle to be worse than it was so he ducks his head in, and the defenders realising what is happening so they ease up on the tackle. For me that still has to fall on the heads of the tacklers as they committed the illegal act and if he is not lifted then there this does not happen. Should get 5-6 weeks in my opinion.