The tackle that has ended the seasons of players in rugby league and American football has found its way to New Zealand’s community rugby grounds.
But it’s about to be rubbed out.
The “hip-drop” tackle was banned by the NRL in July 2020 after several high-profile and ugly incidents. Theillegal tackle can see offenders charged and suspended from the game.
The outlawed technique involves the tackler grabbing the ball carrier around the waist before swinging their hips around and dropping their body weight on the back of the attacker’s legs.
It has led to long-term ankle injuries in the NRL.
The NFL followed suit in March last year after analysing more than 20,000 tackles over the previous two seasons. They determined that the “hip-drop” causes lower-extremity injuries “at a rate 20 times higher than other tackles, resulting in an unacceptable risk to player health and safety”.
Until recently, it was scarcely seen on the rugby field. It has made its way into Super Rugby Pacific on occasion – most notably this year when Waratahs fullback and Wallabies hopeful Max Jorgensen was felled early in the round-seven clash with the Hurricanes. The injury ended his Super season and has jeopardised his chances of facing the British and Irish Lions next month.
Max Jorgensen of the Waratahs missed most of the Super Rugby Pacific season after suffering an injury from a hip-drop tackle. Photo / Photosport
New Zealand Rugby (NZR) safer game lead Cameron Prouting sent the directive to provincial unions on Wednesday afternoon.
“We’re seeing more and more cases of the ‘hip-drop tackle’ in the community game. This is a dangerous technique that can result in serious – and sometimes season-ending – injuries. That’s why we are calling it out and taking steps to eliminate it from our game,” the email read.
General Manager of Community Rugby - Steve Lancaster, says it’s not that they’ve seen a clear increase in reported injuries from the tackle - but they’re seeing it used more in video analysis of club rugby.
“We know this type of tackle carries risk and want to take a prevention-first approach, so we can protect our players from the risks associated with this tackle,” says Lancaster.
The “hip-drop” ban won’t require a new law to be written. It will be considered dangerous and sanctionable under Law 9.13 – Foul Play.
New Zealand Rugby's General Manager Community Rugby, Steve Lancaster. Photo / Photosport
“We felt like we needed to remind people that this is not legal and there are existing sanctions under this law. It is a re-education rather than a change to law,” says Lancaster.
The message will be sent to all registered coaches and referees on Monday - not before this weekend’s round of games.
“Dropping it on coaches, referees and players just before the weekend wouldn’t have been helpful. It is about long-term change, not a one-off message.
“It is especially important we give coaches time – specifically with only one or two training nights next week – to introduce and explain this update to their teams. Likewise for referees," says Lancaster.
The NZR communication will ask coaches to reinforce safe tackle technique and take proactive steps if players are seen using the “hip-drop” tackle. It also asks referees to be vigilant in policing it.
