A Jacklers perspective of the hard knocks

[hookender]

https://www.rugbypass.com/news/will-evans-fears-for-his-health/

Interesting read and possibly a sad outlook of his future health

[Bloke in North Dorset]

Good read, thanks.

I thought this gets to the heart of the problem:

“It’s just a toss-up between: do fans want a fast, flowing game or the animal inside us? Do they want us smashing each other and physicality being through the roof? You can’t have both to the max, you can have a certain level of each one and it’s about finding the right balance, in my opinion.”

Its a continuous trade-off for TPTB because we all like to see a bit of both and they won't please everyone.

We used to have a saying when I was in the Army, adventure training has to be adventurous. By this they meant that if you're planning something you have to think of all the risks, but if you illuminate them all it won't be enjoyable for players or fans.

[hookender]

Especially when you’ve got this as well. Wonder how big survey was?

https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/amateur-rugby-football-grassroots-brain-injury-survey-b920420.html

[baldpaul101]

Surveys about how think are always slightly pointless IMO. How about some facts?

Rugby needs to be very clear about the difference between the top levels of the sport & the amateur grass roots game.

Junior & low levels of the game do not see significant brain injury problems. Rugby is probably safer than at any time in its history, but you do not see large numbers of old ex players propping up bars with concussive brain issues. Fingers that don't work, wrecked ears & ruined knees, yes, but dementia, no.
The issue is at the top of the game & revolves around multiple head injuries during daily training & weekly games. The vast majority of rugby players are never training nor playing at that level of intensity so won't, as a general rule, encounter the same issues.
Its like fiddling with scrum rules & tackle heights, the vast majority of rugby players had no issues with existing rules but they needed to change at the top of the game.