Shoulder charge banned by ARLC

Updated November 20, 2012 19:33:30

The Australian Rugby League Commission has decided to outlaw the shoulder charge from all competitions in the 2013 season.

The ARLC accepted a management recommendation which concluded that, with NRL players increasing in size, the dangers of injury occurring from such tackles has increased.

"The Commission has reviewed a detailed report into the shoulder charge and accepted a management recommendation that the increased size of athletes was creating a situation where the shoulder charge could, if maintained, lead to an unacceptable injury risk," an ARLC statement read.

The interim NRL chief executive, Shane Mattiske, reiterated that the decision was made with player's safety in mind and denied suggestions that this would amount to changing the way rugby league is played.

"This is about reducing a potential risk of serious injury to our players," Mr Mattiske said today.

"The Commission has gone through a thorough review process and been public in warning players about the risks of illegal play.

"The report shows that the shoulder charge is not a significant part of the game and its removal is not likely to impact on the way the game is played.

"With the increase in size and strength of the players, we believe this is the time to eliminate a potential risk."

The ARLC says it has begun talks with England's RFL about banning the tackle in international games. New Zealand has already banned the shoulder charge in its domestic competition.

Tags: sport, rugby-league, nrl, nsw, qld

First posted November 20, 2012 18:22:35

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Pomeroy banned for two matches

Updated September 05, 2012 22:28:49

Cronulla centre Ben Pomeroy will miss Sunday's elimination final against Canberra after he was handed a two-match suspension by the judiciary for his shoulder charge on Johnathan Thurston.

The Sharks contingent of coach Shane Flanagan, football manager Darren Mooney, legal counsel Nicholas Ghabar and Pomeroy all left the marathon hearing on Wednesday evening, which lasted around four hours, without making a comment.

Pomeroy was the first player tried under strict new guidelines regarding the shoulder charge, introduced last week by the Australian Rugby League Commission, after his hit on Thurston in last Sunday's 36-22 loss to North Queensland at Shark Park.

Players are now sent straight to the judiciary without being graded as part of the commission's crack down on players who make contact with the head or neck with a shoulder charge.

The three-man panel of former players Chris McKenna, Bob Lindner and Mal Cochrane reached their verdict after watching several angles of the tackle and four comparable shoulder charges from this season including Greg Inglis' grade three tackle in July, which resulted in a three-match ban.

Peter Kite, representing the NRL, argued the tackle was reckless and in a similar realm of seriousness to Inglis' hit, while Ghabar said the tackle was a low grade one at best.

Ghabar also highlighted tackles made by Ben Te'o and Sam Kasiano during the season that came under the scrutiny of the judiciary.

"It's not an Inglis. It's not a Te'o. It's not a Kasiano ... it's at the lowest end of the range," Ghabar said.

Pomeroy claimed Thurston put him in a position where he could not make a wrapping tackle when he switched play back inside and resulted in him bracing for contact.

"And you made contact with his head?," Kite said.

"I disagree. No," Pomeroy replied before adding: "I can see that his head is not hitting my shoulder ... his head is around the back of my shoulder. The lat (lateral muscle).

Kite fired back: "I would suggest that your shoulder and not your lat hit his head."

Ghabar admitted the contact was heavy.

"I'm not going to deny this was a solid contact ... it was a substantial collision," he said.

"The initial contact is the left shoulder on the upper pec (pectoral muscle) and there is no contact with the head.

"The secondary contact, if there was any ... was momentary and glancing.

"There is no clear evidence of a collision with the jaw, head or neck."

Ghabar reminded the judiciary before they reached their finding that the matter was only referred because of the policy change and was not an indication of Pomeroy's guilt.

Pomeroy's spot in the Sharks team to face the Raiders in Canberra is expected to be taken by youngster Ricky Leutele.

AAP

Tags: rugby-league, nrl, sport, cronulla-2230

First posted September 05, 2012 21:51:35

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Wicks banned for drug trafficking

Updated May 20, 2011 17:42:00

Former Newcastle forward Danny Wicks has been suspended for four years by the NRL for trafficking a prohibited substance.

Wicks pleaded guilty in a court hearing last November to three counts of supplying drugs.

The suspension comes under the NRL's anti-doping policy, which is in line with the World Anti-Doping Authority's (WADA) four-year minimum ban for trafficking.

The NRL anti-doping rules provide for a player to accept a penalty without a hearing where the facts are not in dispute.

The ban takes effect from September 19 last year, the date of his Country Rugby League club's final match in 2010, and he will be eligible to play again from September 20, 2014.

"The case is a reminder to all players of the dangers of any association with illegal substances," NRL chief executive David Gallop said in a statement.

Wicks pleaded guilty to two counts of supplying methyl amphetamine and one count of supplying 150 ecstasy tablets.

He is awaiting sentencing.

- AAP

Tags: sport, rugby-league, nrl, australia, nsw, newcastle-2300

First posted May 20, 2011 16:30:00

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Cowboys duo banned over alcohol rules

Posted April 12, 2011 12:18:00

North Queensland pair James Tamou and Blake Leary have been suspended for one week by the Cowboys' leadership group for breaking team alcohol rules.

The suspensions, endorsed by the club's administration, mean neither player is available to play in Saturday night's match against Canberra in Townsville.

Tamou and Leary broke a team rule, which stipulates alcohol may not be consumed during a playing week.

- AAP

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