Just having watched it discussed on Boots 'n' All I have to agree that it needs looking at.



The shoulder charge has always been, in my view, the $hithouses option of a big hit. Ryan Bailey specialises in this, enough said really.



It has no danger for the fella putting in the hit and has a big chance of injuring the lad taking the hit.



Should we keep it as it is part of and always will be part of the game or get rid of it?

I thought he only specialised been third man in the tackle

No, banning it is ridiculous, and it's one of the many reasons Union is a complete and utter joke, nothing wrong with it and Burgess injury is a 1 in a 100 thing.

Is a very dangerous technique, and i think the RFL should follow the NHL's option of banning all hits to the head.( Yes i know what a high tackle is) I have seen countless "shoulder charges" that have been targetting the head of the opposition player.

I agree, it was an unlucky incident. And his brother Sam Burgess is one of the best around in putting in HUGE but legitimate hits in with the shoulder. I like shoulder charges if they are done properly and for the right reasons (i.e putting in a big hit and NOT just because a player can't be bothered to bend his back!)

All hits to the head are illegal anyway, unless you think penalising accidental head clashes is a good idea? who would get the penalty in a clash of heads?

I'm not a fan of it. It's simply trying to knock someone to the floor with as much force as possible rather than trying to TACKLE someone.

A bit divided here I see. A good debate ahead I think.



I agree with Spongolium, maybe not banning it but banning somebody for maybe 1 game that looks to shoulder charge the head. I'm not talking somebody running at a low angle or falls into it but you see many a player jump into these tackles with the shoulder at head height.

When you tackle someone you are trying to do the exact same thing......

They shouldn't be banned. But a lot of the 'big hits' that everyone gets so excited about are high tackles technically. If the point of impact is above the shoulder it should be a sending off and a long ban.



There are two very distinct styles of shoulder charge. One where the tackler aims for the chest and the other where they dip the shoulder into the face of ball carrier. Both are showered in glory by commentators and braindead supporters but they are incredibly dangerous.

I just love every anti RB person and thier post. Makes me chuckle.



It should be kept. Unless an accidental clash of the shoulder with the head (see Bailey on Fa'asavalu) then there is nothing is wrong with it.



Next you're going to teach the kids not to put the shoulder in to the tackle and to wrap their arms around the opposition player, who will clearly win the collision.

bring back sonny bill williams from union now that guy has a shoulder and half shame he cant use it in union www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GfziEThFes

bring back sonny bill williams from union now that guy has a shoulder and half shame he cant use it in union www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GfziEThFes