www1.skysports.com/rugby-league/ ... 15/8499601? Its a tough sport and people can and will get hurt. It was a shocker, but lets not mouth of to the press about it. I am not saying he is not right. I just don't like players complaining to the press

www1.skysports.com/rugby-league/ ... 15/8499601? Its a tough sport and people can and will get hurt. It was a shocker, but lets not mouth of to the press about it. I am not saying he is not right. I just don't like players complaining to the press

4 games for that challenge is a joke, the young guy stopped breathing and thankfully it didn't turn out to be a disaster. The RL is tied up in a standard punishment system, what we need is some common sense and 8+ match bans where warranted.

So well done Sam for speaking out as no-one else from a neutral corner has.

Is it likely though that with Sam being basically the face and voice of RL in this country that he's been actively sought for his opinion and he has simply obliged in giving it?

I don't disagree

What i will say is that nothing irks me more than rent a gob John Wilkin plastering himself all over the press.

Seeing Sam do the same thing irks me just as much.

Honestly dont have a problem with one of neutral comnents it happens all the time with all sorts of players.

It doesnt seem biased or cheap shot just a general comment about the punishment which is fair in my eyes.

I agree.

Nothing to do with Sam whatsoever, so I don't see the need to offer a quote on it.

Yeah sometimes it would be better for players to just not bother answering questions but i suppose he can't just pick and choose which ones he wants to. We all know what journos in every field are like, they'll dig and dig for a quote and then just print it how they want it to be percieved.

Don't agree with the suggestion that the shoulder charge should be banned.
What's the problem is with these three is that they were head high.
It's the head tackles that are the problem.
When a player is knocked out and then suffers from concussion the RFL should have a set tariff for that.
Sam was being interviewed, probably about something else, when he was asked about the incidents.

So what should Sam Tomkins do?

Say "sorry I have no opinions on rugby league, why did you come and ask me, ask somebody famous?"

I hope there isn't a clamour for a ban on shoulder charges. Personally, I wouldn't have outlawed tackling in the air or lifting legs above horizontal either. If someone is cartwheeled whilst 3 feet in the air or spear tackled the laws already exist to deal with that. What IMO shouldn't be an issue are events like the spilled charnley bomb where he was tackled a nano second too early. I don't want to see the game stopped for such trivial "offences". Similarly a clean shoulder charge is a joy to behold IMO. Long may they continue, just not on me please!

If anything I think we need more personalities within our sport, become more involved with the media is one method.
I actually think Jon Wilkin, Sam Tomkins plus one or two others speak excellently when on TV, a step in the right direction away from the old connotation of big thick rugby league player.

I also think it's only a matter of time before the shoulder charge is banned in our country following the NRL and Union, sadly.

The fact that he was concussed shouldnt be an issue. Granted, it sounded like a very serious collision that was intentional, but it should be judged on that alone, not on the aftermath. A nomal head high tackle could do the same and not look as bad that one. Would people be calling for 8 match + ban then.

We need personalities in what has become a dull sport (media wise)
Id also bring in a transfer window. Our sport isn't in the papers half as much as it should be, its what gets people interested.

It was also very late, which makes it worse.

Wasn't it the same French player who cleaned Sam out in Montpellier last year, and no action taken?

There's nothing wrong with a well-timed shoulder charge. It lifts the crowd and both teams on the field. Surely it's common sense just to ban people when they commit reckless tackles. If they get the timing wrong or make shoulder-on-head contact then they get sent-off, banned etc...