ARE YOU BLIND REF.... OR ARE WE WRONG ??? - New interpretations of a ‘high tackle’

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New interpretations of a ‘high tackle’

Printed From: Scarlet Fever Llanelli Rugby Sport Wales Tickets
Category: RUGBY
Forum Name: ARE YOU BLIND REF.... OR ARE WE WRONG ???
Forum Description: Refereeing points of law questions and answers
URL: https://scarletfever.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=47421
Printed Date: 27 March 2026 at 3:36am
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Topic: New interpretations of a ‘high tackle’

Posted By: Wil Chips
Subject: New interpretations of a ‘high tackle’
Date Posted: 14 August 2023 at 9:25am

Both sons have been involved in games where this new interpretation has been in play.

Startling penalty count ( over 40 in both games) for just that offence.

Obviously refs have been briefed to really focus in on it, at the same time I can see rugby tactics tilting …

Example is that instead of clearing your line with a kick, teams are just running a couple of phases and inevitably get a penalty.

Even saw a guy run through a line and the centre grab him around the chest from behind after a foot chase and the ref give a penalty try.

Could be fun!

To note this is not applied at full international yet.

Replies:

Posted By: Mrfwon
Date Posted: 14 August 2023 at 10:18am

It's going to be extremely interesting once fully applied for sure.

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Scarlets!!!

Posted By: Gate12
Date Posted: 14 August 2023 at 12:08pm

There is also the issue around the ball carrier presenting a target for the tackler (i.e. not dipping), seen a couple of pens for that, I can't see that being refereed within a couple of weeks but it's all very messy at the moment.

Got to feel pity for refs, almost impossible to get a flowing game with so much focus on body heights, I really don't see how this can work in practise in such a quick and physical sport.

Posted By: Eastern outpost
Date Posted: 14 August 2023 at 12:16pm

Presenting a target for the tackler should make a huge difference to player health and well-being, if folk can adapt to it, especially so with the tackle height.

Hope it succeeds.

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In a world where you can be anything – Be Kind.

Posted By: Gate12
Date Posted: 14 August 2023 at 12:44pm

I can't see it working because it's such an unnatural thing to do, you know someone is lining you up to hit you as hard as they can and you've got try and stay upright and think there you go have a shot at me.

Dipping/bracing/turning your shoulder in is just a natural reaction, leaving yourself open will likely lead to some unintended consequences (i.e. different types of injuries).

Posted By: lofty evans
Date Posted: 31 August 2023 at 5:00pm

With the amount of concussion cases being raised....head shots ,,,anything to the head is a no go area ....for me about time

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In 1972, Roy Bergiers scored that try and said "that was for you lofty"

"All you have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us"

Posted By: Wil Chips
Date Posted: 31 August 2023 at 7:12pm

Agreed, the new rules are below chest high though.

Posted By: Fscarlet
Date Posted: 01 September 2023 at 5:18am

Played first match under the new laws last week, lower sternum or below is the tackle height. Lost count of penalties conceded by both sides. Ref was good, he understood it is going to take time for players to adjust, especially at grassroots level, & said he’d keep his cards in his pocket for high tackles unless it was dangerously high or contact to head.

Posted By: insidehalf
Date Posted: 01 September 2023 at 12:13pm

A bit left field but I wouldn't be surprised if all rugby jerseys would have to have a line in white or black depending what primary colour the jersey is going around the body at armpit level and any tackle above that line will be deemed a "high tackle".

Posted By: Gate12
Date Posted: 01 September 2023 at 3:43pm

Assuming this applies to the regional 18's games (as the only exclusions I think were the Welsh URC teams and Premiership) there weren't many penalties in the game against the Ospreys, can only really remember about 2 or 3 pens for high tackles which seems very low.