Pellsey wrote: ↑Mon May 10, 2021 3:21 pm
How many players can you name who have had brain damage, compared to those who havent? I think this is oversansationalism at its finest.
Well first off the issue has been ignored or mismanaged or brushed under the carpet for many years. As an example
https://www.smh.com.au/sport/rugby-unio ... 2pqhg.html. So when you ask the question how many... it's a difficult question to answer. We do know that
another 80 former players between the ages of 25 and 55 are showing symptoms and have serious concerns.
Pellsey wrote: ↑Mon May 10, 2021 3:21 pmYou can hurt your brain tripping in the street and falling on a rock, it doesnt mean you will not walk down the street.
That is a poor analogy. I think is the old "nothing is risk free" argument. I don't anyone expects rugby to be risk free.
Pellsey wrote: ↑Mon May 10, 2021 3:21 pmI enjoyed rugby when it wasn't so sensitive
Clearly no one can deny what you enjoy more or less. But with all due respect that is not the point. If you enjoy it a little less and far less players have brain damage is the point.
Pellsey wrote: ↑Mon May 10, 2021 3:21 pmand therefore prefer the game as refereed in France.
I've no idea if French refs differ. I pretty much only see them when they are doing European or international matches. I can't say as I've noticed that much difference. But if they are then that should be addressed because as far as I know the laws and protocols should be the same in all top level games.
Pellsey wrote: ↑Mon May 10, 2021 3:21 pmI think people are entertained by who gets the card in this 10 minute period and who is banned for which games. It becomes like a soap opera .
Well at least it is increasing some fans enjoyment
But seriously, most of what I've heard is that people want the players to change their behaviour. And indeed, as been said many times, the players were consulted on the new protocols and agreed with them.
Pellsey wrote: ↑Mon May 10, 2021 3:21 pmWould you ban punching to the head in boxing or MMA at all? Everybody has the choice to play the game fully knowing the risks. If you don't want to risk it, dont play. But hey, there are those who would like to wrap everybody in cotton wool and watch and play touch rugby, and ruin the game for everybody else.
As I said at the top of the thread the risks were either not known or downplayed or ignored. Now, thankfully, that is changing, people have a choice and belatedly the authorities have tried to mitigate the risk.
There is a balancing act with anything. Boxing, the Grand National, motor racing, the TT. If you go to far you start to question is it worth doing. And I understand people feeling that it loses something. But we need to at least start with an honest position and try to do what we can. If it was so different nobody would watch it and I think at the moment rugby is doing alright. You still see plenty of physicality, bodies on the floor and players getting injured.