The fallout from Leigh Leopards defeating St Helens in the Challenge Cup semi-final has seen debate rage over tackle technique and the safety of the game.
It was a feisty and fiery game of knockout rugby league, one that was played right on the edge and only on the one occasion did it go beyond that, with Sione Mata’utia copping a yellow card for a high shot.
Despite there being just one time the referee went to his pocket there was plenty of other high impact tackles, some brilliantly timed and some that left the ball carrier in an incredibly awkward piosition.
The most notable of these was John Asiata’s tackle around the knees of Agnatius Paasi, with Oliver Holmes dragging the big forward down from the other side.
It left Paasi in agony and it’s now been announced that he’s suffered a range of injuries including ACL, MCL and ankle ligament injuries.
Post match Paul Wellens stated that Paasi’s knee has been “blown to smithereens” and scans confirmed as such as he now faces a nine month layoff, whilst Alex Walmlsey (MCL) will be out for three months.
Wellens addressed the press yesterday calling on RFL action over the tackles and told BBC Merseyside the following.
“What we have to consider here is when we are making decisions about tackling in that manner, we give the green light to coaches and players at all levels, including the community game, we give players the green light for players to tackle like that.
“I sit here as someone who loves the game, that doesn’t sit with me well.
“We as a Club, myself as a coach, and those players in particular are angry, upset and disappointed with some of the events from the weekend. Not just those events, but what has transpired in the subsequent days, how we feel that both Agnatius and Alex have been let down by the game.
“We talk about player welfare and the duty of care to its players, those players have been failed this weekend. For Agnatius he is out for a minimum of nine months, he can only have his ACL repaired after his MCL and his ankle ligaments have also healed. It’s three injuries in one tackle. Alex has had surgery today on his MCL, that will be at least twelve weeks.”
The RFL have now made a response to Wellens’ scathing comments with Sky Sports reporting what the governing body have said on the matter.
“Nobody wants to see injuries to players and we wish each of them the earliest possible recovery.
“We have listened intently to what the club has to say and we fully understand their position. We have also reiterated to the club that our approach to reviewing the incidents they refer to is consistent with all cases previously where clubs have cited incidents and alleged serious injuries to players.
“We assure all clubs that we will consult, consider and decide whether this type of tackle or technique is acceptable in our sport.
“As with any change to the laws of the game or to on-field regulations, we will undertake a thorough review with all stakeholders, including coaches and the laws committee, but any changes cannot happen in-season.”
Asiata was not charged for any of the four times he was cited by the Match Review Panel despite Wellens’ claims that “the bloke was out of control”.
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