Rugby
Tackleman Blog
Greetings one and all, Tackleman here to talk about a couple of hot recent topics.
I may have to shout this one out so you can hear me over the sound of indignant English fans screaming at their new media machines as the Aussies rewrite their International selection rules.
I’ll cast an eye over this latest development, as well as looking at the increasing health scourge of the modern game: concussion. It’s a worrying problem and now that the seemingly indestructible Richie McCaw has succumbed, one the entire world rugby community needs to heed.
Super Rugby is in full swing, and Northern Hemisphere rugby is readying itself for a raft of high profile finals, but all will be played out beneath the shadow of the Rugby World Cup. Every selection, every tactic, every player, every injury analysed, dismantled and disseminated.
Rewriting the rules
Of course, it is this close examination that brings me to my first point and the recent news that Australia will now select those playing overseas who fit certain criteria. Realising that the game in Oz is struggling and needs its superstars, and passage out of the “Pool of Death”, if you’ve played 60+ games for The Wallabies (and your name’s Matt Giteau), you can play wherever you like and still make the team. It’s a smart move for Australia but it seems to me that it’s not a “one size fits all” solution.
In England, the RFU has had a strong stance against selecting foreign based players. Why? Because there wasn’t anyone of any note playing abroad (conveniently forgetting Jonny Wilkinson being Toulon based during 2011), and these problems only really related to the Welsh and Gatland.
But then, out of nowhere, Steffon Armitage has started to play really rather well for European Champions Toulon, in that one position England have, seemingly, failed to master for the last 10 years, the “out and out openside”. Whipped up by the media, the masses have been demanding Lancaster invokes his Special Exemption Clause.
Armitage doesn’t strike me as being a man who wants to move back to England, merely to be able to play in a home World Cup. But, he’s an “OAOOS” (Out and Out Openside), and with the possibility of coming up against two blistering Aussie No.7’s in David Pocock, and Michael Hooper, England is close to revolution.
Whilst we want these warriors to battle and carry our respective countries flags to the peak of the world game, we must ensure that in 20 years time, and beyond, they are able to recall their heroics and speak of them, clear of thought, lucidly and with dignity intact.
Concussions on the rise
McCaw though will not be interested in that right now. He’ll be more concerned with getting his head sorted; quite literally. Another major concussion and we all take a deep breath. Concussions are on the increase and there are no geographical boundaries. Whilst we want these warriors to battle and carry our respective countries flags to the peak of the world game, we must ensure that in 20 years time, and beyond, they are able to recall their heroics and speak of them, clear of thought, lucidly and with dignity intact.
See you next time,
Tackleman
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