An agent speaks candidly

[Eugene Wrayburn]

Shaun Longstaff: Fears and revelations of a top rugby agent - http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/37171363

Basically things are just as bad as I feared.

Players are being coached to injure others.

"Coaches" are looking at G forces rather than whether a bloke can actually play rugby.

Young players are being treated like broiler chickens.

Attitudes to concussion and injury are better, but nowhere near where they need to be.

[BBD]

Jeez

did you watch the video of john Shaw - scary

[Sandydragon]

Looking at the standard of rugby fare in many parts of the world, this isn't a surprise. Winning the collision has been the key aspect of NH play for some time. Naturally Gatland gets criticism for this, but he is far from being alone in his adoption of an attrition ally based game plan.

[Matt Ha]

That makes grim reading. There also must be nasty trickle-down effect. He's talking about elite rugby but the bigger-stronger-harder hits-attitudes must be seeping down into club rugby, age-group and even the school game resulting in more injuries.

[Sandydragon]

That makes grim reading. There also must be nasty trickle-down effect. He's talking about elite rugby but the bigger-stronger-harder hits-attitudes must be seeping down into club rugby, age-group and even the school game resulting in more injuries.

Just looking at the training and nutrition schemes that many teenagers are on these days, and the end results, it seems that the focus is making kids huge without necessarily teaching them the skills to play rugby.

[BBD]

So what will it take to turn this trend around in an era where money & success are the only voices that matter?

[Sandydragon]

So what will it take to turn this trend around in an era where money & success are the only voices that matter?

Whilst the English and French leagues are so financially rewarding (as you say relegation is costly) and the Celtic leagues are trying to catch up, I just can't see it changing at all.

For the Welsh, it would need a conscious effort by the 4 regions and national team to change the approach, but of course Gatland would object. For the Irish and Scots, not so sure. With no relegation there is no reason why Celtic teams can adopt a style which relies less on attrition and more on skills. The chances of that being successful in the HC and 6N when its pissing down are debatable though.

[BBD]

So are we going to have to wait until we see more relatively young men behaving like they have alzheimers before the public outcry forces the games governing bodies to do something. Its a high price to pay

[Doorzetbornandbred]

The game is changing in the way it is being played, slowly teams are realising that its far better to play with continuity rather than brute force and ignorance and also far more bloody enjoyable as well.

[Eugene Wrayburn]

So what will it take to turn this trend around in an era where money & success are the only voices that matter?

Cillian willis to succeed in his law suit. that should bring the rugby authorities up short. It wouldn't take many law suits to bankrupt the likes of the IRFU or the NZRU and they'll surely see that there are massive risks associated with doing nothing.

[BBD]

Perhaps.

Suppose Cillian is successful, it would open the gates to other claimants, going back years potentially, it could bankrupt the game.

[Eugene Wrayburn]

Perhaps.

Suppose Cillian is successful, it would open the gates to other claimants, going back years potentially, it could bankrupt the game.

6 years back under English law. Clubs and Unions should be insured actually so no one should go bankrupt but I'd have little sympathy for any professional outfit that was negligent about the brain health of their players.

[BBD]

Do you know where the law would stand on amateur clubs obligations and responsibilities?
Clearly there must be some precautions they must take, but this ruling will really shake things up

[Eugene Wrayburn]

Do you know where the law would stand on amateur clubs obligations and responsibilities?
Clearly there must be some precautions they must take, but this ruling will really shake things up

Who knows until someone sues. I'd guess that the courts wouldn't have much in the way of obligations for amateur clubs. They'd be unlikely to have much in the way of medical expertise and as long as no one is putting undue pressure on anyone to play when not fit then they'd probably be ok.

[BBD]

I dunno, some of lads I knew who played at a level below the pros weren't far off putting in a professional shift and were put under pressure to play on occasion

[Sandydragon]

I recall from my time running an amateur rugby club that there was increasing concern over medical cover at games. Since that responsibility could be met via an alcoholic St Johns ambulanceman in exchange for some special brew, I'd suggest that the liability for amateur clubs is pretty minimal.

[BBD]

lol, so long as he knows which way hes pointing when hes holding the stretcher

[Sandydragon]

lol, so long as he knows which way hes pointing when hes holding the stretcher

Stretcher? That's a bit advanced

[Doorzetbornandbred]

Do you know where the law would stand on amateur clubs obligations and responsibilities?
Clearly there must be some precautions they must take, but this ruling will really shake things up

Who knows until someone sues. I'd guess that the courts wouldn't have much in the way of obligations for amateur clubs. They'd be unlikely to have much in the way of medical expertise and as long as no one is putting undue pressure on anyone to play when not fit then they'd probably be ok.

For a start with the "Don't Be A Headcase" test that the RFU have introduced and the fact that you are then registered with the RFU that you have done the test would at least go some way to giving clubs some backup if the worst was to happen. Mind you the club I coach at it is surprising how many haven't done the test and that's coaches involved with kids rugby, not good enough tbh.