Castleford Tigers’ club doctor hits out at new rules
King Vuniyayawa (19) of Leeds Rhinos leaves the pitch with an oxygen mask after picking up an injury
Castleford Tigers’ club doctor Nick Raynor has criticised the new laws brought in by the RFL, regarding injury treatment.
The RFL ratified a series of new regulations at the beginning of the week in an attempt to reduce the amount of gamesmanship that is becoming more common in Super League:
“It is becoming increasingly noticeable that at key times in games, players are being treated on field for injury and the referee has no option but to stop the game. This has resulted in complaint from coaches, increased length of games and frustration from media and fans that the flow of the game is disrupted.
“The Board has therefore accepted a Laws Committee recommendation to adopt the NRL policy relating to injury stoppages. This will ensure the effective treatment of players remains a priority without encouraging gamesmanship whilst retaining an entertaining spectacle.”
But, Raynor has now raised concerns.
I’m interested to hear the detail of requiring an injured player to leave the field for treatment.
It’s more complex than fans in the stand or coaches realise, and here’s a thread why… https://t.co/ig6XIuWin9
— Nick Raynor (@DrNickRaynor) October 14, 2021
We have the worst view in the stadium. Halfway line, often with 20 bodies in the way, at 40metres away. The view is not clear, and sometimes you respond to something you think is a head injury but turns out it was a sternum or shoulder.
— Nick Raynor (@DrNickRaynor) October 14, 2021
So where does this leave us? If I go on for a HI but actually he’s fine, does he have to leave field anyway? What if that leaves us short in defensive line & we concede a try.
All because I couldn’t clearly see what happened from metres away & wanted to make sure player OK.
— Nick Raynor (@DrNickRaynor) October 14, 2021
Risk is, if medical staff more hesitant to access pitch when someone down injured, may lead to worse injury, missed concussions etc…
The balance will be important between letting game flow & letting medics do their job. Will be interesting to see the details.
— Nick Raynor (@DrNickRaynor) October 14, 2021