Illegal tackles

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Illegal tackles in rugby league are those generally that have the initial point of impact above the shoulders, or are those which have a high chance of causing injury, pain, harm or unnecessary contact with parts of the body.

Historically, old school illegal tackles were the coat hanger, stiff arm/swinging arm, squirrel grip and spear tackle. Over the years, these have somewhat been eradicated from rugby league through lengthy suspensions, professionalism of players and duty of care obligations.

However, as the game has sped up over the last few decades, teams have sought different way of slowing down the ruck and the speed of the game. Wrestling and submission techniques have crept into the game, with players using jiu jitsu, judo and other wrestling techniques to tackle players. These techniques have resulted in some dangerous tackles and have had certain names attached to them by certain prominent people in rugby league (such as journalists and coaches). These manoeuvres include:

• Grapple
• Rolling pin
• Chicken wing
• Ripper
• Chin strap
• Cannon ball
• Prowler
• Crusher
• Wing-nut
• Hip drop

Many believe the Melbourne Storm in the National Rugby League (NRL) are primarily responsible for introducing these manoeuvres which have their origins in wrestling to cause submission of the tackled player ^[1][2][3] .

Grapple[edit]

Involves holding the tackled player from the head or neck and pulling and manoeuvring the tackled player to the ground. Basically, where the head goes, the body will follow.

Cameron Smith was controversially suspended for allegedly performing such a tackle on Sam Thaiday, costing Smith an appearance for the Melbourne Storm in the 2008 NRL Grand Final against Manly Warringah Sea Eagles. Manly won the grand final 40 points to nil.

Rolling pin[edit]

Involves the tackler using his/her knee to place pressure on the back of the calf muscle of the tackled player on the ground. First seen in July 2008, Jeff Lima, the Melbourne Storm prop, allegedly executed this manoeuvre in a game against the Parramatta Eels.

Chicken wing[edit]

Involves twisting the tacklers arm in an awkward manner, much like trying to break the wing of a roast chicken.

Ripper[edit]

Similar to a chicken wing tackle, this involves wrenching the tackled players arm backwards. This has resulted in a torn pectoral muscle and bicep of tackled players. First seen in September 2007, when Melbourne Storm played the Parramatta Eels, Brent White is alleged to have performed the tackle on Nathan Cayless. https://www.smh.com.au/sport/refs-limited-with-ripper-tackle-ruling-20070926-gdr6z9.html^[4]

Chin strap[edit]

Involves lifting a tackled payers head by the tackler grabbing under the chin of the tackled player and lifting. (Opposite direction to the crusher tackle - see below).

Cannon ball[edit]

Involves the tackled player being held, by the tackler or tacklers, in an upright position with the side of his/her legs open to another tackler coming in speed in a side on direction at the knees of the tackled player. This tackle can cause serious knee injuries including ruptured medial ligament and crucial elbow ligaments, as well as fractures of lower leg bones.

Prowler[edit]

Involves the tackled player being held, by the tackler or tacklers, in an upright position with the side of his/her ribs open to another tackler coming in speed in a side on direction at the ribs of the tackled player. This tackle can cause serious rib and chest injuries including fractures to ribs and punctured lungs.

Crusher[edit]

The reverse of the chin strap, whereby by a tackler places pressure on the back of the head of the tackled player, causing the chin to go towards the chest. In some early cases of the crusher, tacklers were lifting the weight of the tackled player then coming down hard on the back of the head and neck region to inflict maximum pain and submission.

Wing-nut[edit]

First appearing on 17 August 2019 in the game between Melbourne Storm and Canberra Raiders, Cameron Smith allegedly performed a wingnut tackle on Bailey Simmonson. Cameron Smith is seen to grab the ears of Bailey Simmonson, twisting them between his knuckles, forcing Simmonson to the ground. This tackle was heavily scrutinised and criticised in the week following the game, with Smith getting a concerning act notice from the NRL.https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/teams/storm/nothing-to-see-ear-shocking-vision-exposes-cameron-smiths-dirty-tricks/news-story/734a9022323e89cf7d90d6b26fee5bce^[5]

Hip drop[edit]

Involves a tackler making initial contact around the waist of the tackled player, then swivelling to behind the player, then dropping his/her weight (usually with the hips) on back of the calf of the tackled player. This brings to player to the ground quickly, but also increases the risk of serious leg and ankle injuries.

Coat hanger[edit]

Involves the tackler advancing and hitting the tackled player above the shoulders resulting the in the tackled players legs to continue in a forward motion whilst the top of his body has stopped. This usually results in a spectacular fall of the tackled player, but also can cause serious facial and neck injuries. Team mates of the tackled player usually resent this type of tackle and will remonstrate (and in some cases fight) with the offending tackler.

Stiff arm/Swinging arm[edit]

Come into the tackle with a straight, stiff arm, with tackler swings his/her arm with force into the tackled player whilst making the tackle. Often disguised and hard to detect.

Squirrel grip[edit]

Involves the tackler grabbing the genitals of the opponent, often with a vice-like grip or twisting action.

Spear tackle[edit]

Involves lifting the tackled player beyond the horizontal and driving the player , head-first, into the ground. Serious neck, spinal and head injuries have resulted from these tackle.

References[edit]

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