SANZAR - what is the rule regarding the shoulder charge

Could anybody explain to me what the rule is for the shoulder charge in Super XV? I felt SBW should've been yellowed Saturday night. I could very well be wrong. Does anyone know how to look up SANZAR rules online?

I'm not sure of the exact definition, but..

SANZAR follows the IRB rule book. Go to the IRB website, it has all the rules on there

It was definitely a penalty for foul play (which was what was given?). I'm not sure if they have a publicly viewable red/yellow card offence sheet though. (unfortunately)

A deliberate no arms tackle is subject to a yellow card in any form of rugby. If the tackle is off the ball, then it's a yellow card without question. But when it comes to tight calls, it's up to the ref and how he saw it really. (ie: if it wasn't a clear deliberate shoulder charge, a penalty and warning will probably be the result)

Walsh had already let some worse offences go without sanction.

The shoulder charge and high tackles only applies if you are a Australian rugby player.

I'd go 1 further and say if you're a Reds player. Hooper got off earlier this year too.

I didn't think the SBW one was that bad at all. It probably warranted a penalty but nothing more.

It was front on and his arms were there. The contact was strong and the player (I think it was Lambie) went to ground quickly before the arms could be engaged.

Players are obviously taught to tackle with their shoulder. I think that if it is a front on hit and the arms are close enough, there isn't really anything wrong with it.

Tameifuna's tackle was quite different in that he was far more side on when he made contact with the shoulder and there was really never any chance his arms were going to become involved in the tackle.

The Sonny Bill one reminded me of a hit by Palu on Rob Kearney a few years ago. Palu was given a yellow card but in my view shouldn't have been. The only reason the arms weren't involved is because the tackled player drops straight to ground on contact.

SBW's tackle warrented and received a penalty. Anything more in that situation would have been excessive.
The Tameifuna high tackle however is a whole different kettle of fish. That should have been a minimum yellow and should be looked at by the judiciary.

Quade Cooper was suspended because his tackle was high.

I am reluctant to speculate on what sort of sanction the "tackle" deserved (penalty may have been enough but you probably couldn't argue to much if a yellow was given), but to say, "his arms were there", only states the obvious that they are attached to his body. The only way that tackle could've had less arms is if her had left them in the change rooms when he warmed up.

No attempt to use the arms - he actually tucks his left arm under him just before impact. Standard mungo "tackle". Hate the bloody things.

S Faingaa is also lucky not to have been suspended on more than one occasion this year after a few shoulder charges in the later rounds...

Tameifuna has been given a week

http://www.superxv.com/news/super15_rugby_news.asp?id=36101

So a pointless ban really

He will miss an ITM Cup game.

What else can they suspend him from?

Judiciary and consistency.. I believe thats what they call a Paradox.

Thanks for everyone's contribution I feel the laws should err on the tougher side. That video with Palu, his shoulder hit the Irish guy fair on the head before the arms came into play. IMO that deserved a yellow and so did SBW's. I know I'm a bit soft but it's an aspect I would like to see rubbed out of game.

Palu definitely strikes the chest of Kearney. Watch the slow motion replays later in the video.

I think if the tackle is front on and doesn't hit the player above the shoulders then it is alright. It will always be really hard to get the arms involved if the hit is too good and the player drops straight to ground. As long as it is front on and uses proper tackling technique it should be legal.

I am firmly against the side on rugby league style shoulder charge which has absolutely no control and is designed to injure.

Not to mention Kearney did a blatant shoulder charge on Elsom later on in the same game that went unnoticed. I'm still furious about that game/Kaplan.



Kaplan still hates the Tahs even when they're in national colours.