Jamie Jones-Buchanan says hip drop tackles are “an unintended consequence” after Mike Cooper injury

Sadly Wigan Warriors star Mike Cooper’s season is over after he suffered an ACL injury in a hip drop tackle from St Helens’ Morgan Knowles.

Knowles has subsequently been banned for five games as many discuss the tackle type including whether their is malice in it.

However, on Sky Sports, Jamie Jones-Buchanan said it is an “unintended consequence” is the injuries suffered and that players need to work on their technique.

“It is an unintended consequence of when you are trying to put a player on his back and win the ruck,” he said.

“When you are beaten by strength or through footwork, you are desperately trying to get that player back especially as a forward as well you don’t want to be beat, you want to win the collision and get them on their back but it has to be stamped out of the game.

“If you try and manipulate rucks, it can be dangerous and you get what happened to Mike Cooper.

“I am not trying to be self righteous either, I have been guilty of this in the past. I am just trying to put them on their back and it is tough watching myself do that.

“Whenever you are pulling in a tackle you are more than often going to get it wrong, you should be driving, bending and using your shoulder you will get it right.”