Rugby league is the heavy contact sport many Australians love, but the high impact game can lead to severe head injuries, and this is taking a serious toll on the game.
High tackles, HIA’s (Head Injury Assessments) and concussions have been a major talking point in rugby league for the past decade, with the the fast paced, high intensity game in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons.
To combat this, the NRL introduced an independent doctor in 2023, adding an extra layer of protection for the players on the pitch, and taking the decision of letting the player back on the pitch out of the clubs’ hands.
There was also discussion around clubs not trusting each other, with criticism some coaches have been using HIA as a free interchange.
Some clubs also appeared unhappy with the appointment of the new doctor, as they saw it taking out star players at crucial moments of the game such as Knights’ Kalyn Ponga being removed in the closing moments of an eventual loss to the Warriors.
With nine head injuries ruling players out as of June this year, there are now more players ruled out than games being played.
The NRL updated their concussion protocol in March 2023, which resulted in a mandatory 11 day stand down following a diagnosed concussion.
Australian Rugby League Commission chairman, Peter V’landys said there was no greater priority than a player’s safety.
“It’s front and centre of everything we do,” Mr Vlandys said.
“Our current head injury protocols are exceptionally strong.
“Following a review of the data and the expert advice we have received, the Commission have enhanced these protocols even further by providing a mandatory 11 day stand down period following a diagnosed concussion.”
Clubs have been granted the ability to appeal the 11 day stand down of a player who had suffered a concussion, in the prior game week, if it can met the following requirements.
- Category one signs/symptoms are not observed
- The player is asymptomatic the day following the concussion
- Cognitive testing has returned to normal
- The player has suffered fewer than five earlier career concussions
- The player has no diagnosed concussions within three months prior
- The player has no history of a concussion with prolonged recovery
A concussion is something most rugby league players have experienced whether it be themselves or a teammate.
NRLW Bulldogs player Hope Millard has had her fair share of experiences.
“I have had multiple concussions in the past couple of years,” said Ms Millard.
“I think it has taught me to be more careful and change my technique when I tackle, as well as the importance of taking care of yourself when off the field.”
With a high possibility of being detrimental to a player’s career, concussions can also have a plus side, with many players considering it as a warning and learning curve about avoidance of future injuries.
According to the Rugby League Players Association players are now more informed than ever about the NRL’s concussion and HIA protocols, with 98 per cent of male players and 99 per cent of female players having reported an understanding of the procedures.
The high level of awareness has indicated that players are well-versed in the formal processes and procedures when a concussion is reported and recorded by game and club staff.
In 2024, 22 per cent of men’s players and seven per cent of women’s players reported having experienced a suspected concussion (diagnosed and/or undiagnosed) during a training session.
This number has dropped by three per cent in the women’s game from 2023.
However, there has been an increase by two per cent in men suffering concussions.
The highest number of suspected training concussions suffered within a 12-month period by one individual was three in the men’s and two in the women’s.
In late April there was a major crackdown on high tackles in the NRL.
The League came to the conclusion that if a player makes a high tackle with intent they will be penalised.
This has sparked a major surge in players being sin binned, with 18 players being sent to the bin in round eight. This was equal to the tally of the two prior rounds combined, and equal to the number of sin bins in the first five rounds.
Macedonian Rugby League international representative, Andrew Kosta is a believer in the crackdown, as long as it is done correctly.
“It’s a highly intense fast paced game,” said Mr Kosta.
“They have been sending players to the bin for head high tackles who do not deserve it while some others stay on the field. They are picking and choosing who goes and who doesn’t.
“As a viewer it isn’t great to watch.
“What had really good intent behind the introduction with trying to protect our players is becoming lost as players can become aggressive due to letting a few tackles slip or making the wrong decision.”
Head high tackles are the major cause of sin bins in the NRL.
Since round eight, where there was a dramatic increase, there has since been a decline. Players are now starting to adjust tackling and be more cautious, possibly due to the increase in the number of penalties.
This season the NRL is set to reach 141 sin bins, if the current trend continues throughout the rest of the season.
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