Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
IT’S A RED OCTOBER FOR RUGBY
European Cup chiefs declare war on high tackles and predict a rash of sendings off
EUROPEAN CUP boss Simon Halliday has warned of a ‘red’ October after declaring war on high tackles.
The rugby world’s top club tournament kicks off this month with opinion divided between those responsible for player welfare and those who argue that the game is going soft.
Former England star Halliday stepped in to end that debate last night by ruling that either players go low or they will go off.
“‘If you go in high you risk a red card,” warned Halliday (left). “Simple as that.
“We are not trying to re-invent anything, we’re just saying that we should have zero tolerance when it comes to head contact. Because if we don’t get this right, we’re in a mess.”
The issue blew up last month when Leicester lock Will Spencer was sent off and banned for a high shot on Wasps hooker Tommy Taylor. There was no intent and Taylor was unhurt.
The decision was greeted with anger by many in rugby, but the chorus of disapproval failed to move Halliday.
“Ex-players have been talking about it a lot, asking is rugby going soft?” he said. “Come on!
“When I talk to players I get a very different take. They don’t think that. They are really worried – and so they should be.
“If you are getting recurring headaches and that sort of thing, it’s not a good place to be.”
Halliday, whose 23-cap career included a World Cup Final, knows consistency is key, accepting that there is a “notable variation” in how incidents have been judged in recent times.
To that end he got referees’ chief Joel Jutge to call a summit of Europe’s top whistlers in Paris to nail down exactly “what is an absolute red card, what is a yellow and what’s in the middle”.
Halliday, 58, added: “It is our job to take responsibility for this and to make certain that we get it right, not just for clarity but to protect players – sometimes from themselves.
“We can’t afford to take it lightly. Whether you like it or not, the legal world is coming. It’s happened in the US.
“There are certain things that people tell me are no longer allowed in the NFL which we do over here.”
England wing Marland Yarde has been ruled out for the season with a ruptured and dislocated knee. Wales No.8 Taulupe Faletau is almost certain to miss the autumn internationals after breaking
his arm.