Dementia at 41

[dickythorpe]

So so sad. Younger than me.

Difficult to know when the damage was done to Ryan, he retired early as his body was so battered, but you still see people with trauma to the head every game. I guess I would try to get the tackles lower again, also maybe reduce the number to 13, drop the flankers. That way you’d make the game faster, more space, and maybe encourage the players to be smaller and faster. If you increased the points for a try to 6 maybe, encourage a more open game. I’d definitely try to change the working of the scrum, so much time is lost there. More time the ball is in play, more tired people get, smaller and fitter they’d need to be.

Also reduce the number of subs, case in point SA brining on the Bomb Squad,

They trialled a 6 point try in the Welsh premiership a few seasons ago.... guess what?
Driving lineouts became the best weapon, and Ebbw Vale had a flanker who got 18 tries from such a move.

 

[Niigata Jack]

So so sad. Younger than me.

Difficult to know when the damage was done to Ryan, he retired early as his body was so battered, but you still see people with trauma to the head every game. I guess I would try to get the tackles lower again, also maybe reduce the number to 13, drop the flankers. That way you’d make the game faster, more space, and maybe encourage the players to be smaller and faster. If you increased the points for a try to 6 maybe, encourage a more open game. I’d definitely try to change the working of the scrum, so much time is lost there. More time the ball is in play, more tired people get, smaller and fitter they’d need to be.

Also reduce the number of subs, case in point SA brining on the Bomb Squad,

They trialled a 6 point try in the Welsh premiership a few seasons ago.... guess what?
Driving lineouts became the best weapon, and Ebbw Vale had a flanker who got 18 tries from such a move.

Don't think there is an answer to this problem, can't see how the game can be made safer without turning it sterile, maybe it'll come down to individuals choice.
Head clashes are unavoidable in Rugby unfortunately, could be that the game will become noncontact, I can't see any other option,

 

[Darran]

They trialled a 6 point try in the Welsh premiership a few seasons ago.... guess what?
Driving lineouts became the best weapon, and Ebbw Vale had a flanker who got 18 tries from such a move.

Don't think there is an answer to this problem, can't see how the game can be made safer without turning it sterile, maybe it'll come down to individuals choice.
Head clashes are unavoidable in Rugby unfortunately, could be that the game will become noncontact, I can't see any other option,

Alix Popham’s situation and suing the WRU came out in 2020, nothing’s changed in two years.

https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/wales-rugby-star-alix-popham-19420573

 

[Robbie]

Never played rugby at any great standard , but , back in the day whilst at a school totally focused on their rugby tradition , the PE / Rugby teacher did say , go for the legs in a tackle , they cannot go anywhere now.

It now seems the emphasis is on bulking up ready to engage in massive upper body clashes and 16 st wingers. Gerald Davies / JJ Williams are long gone .

The swinging arm and above shoulder high tackle is being eradicated , but that horrendous pile - driver challenge by the All blacks on a Lions tour some time back , Brian O"Driscoll was involved , showed the way the game was being played then .

Rule changes are now taking effect , sadly too late for Ryan Jones , good luck in the future to him .

 

[TheLoneRanger]

So so sad. Younger than me.

Difficult to know when the damage was done to Ryan, he retired early as his body was so battered, but you still see people with trauma to the head every game. I guess I would try to get the tackles lower again, also maybe reduce the number to 13, drop the flankers. That way you’d make the game faster, more space, and maybe encourage the players to be smaller and faster. If you increased the points for a try to 6 maybe, encourage a more open game. I’d definitely try to change the working of the scrum, so much time is lost there. More time the ball is in play, more tired people get, smaller and fitter they’d need to be.

Also reduce the number of subs, case in point SA brining on the Bomb Squad,

Shane Howarth, ex All Black and Wales International view on South Africa ...


"South Africa is probably the most negative rugby side I have seen for a long time and are the antithesis of what rugby should be."

 

[Niigata Jack]

So so sad. Younger than me.

Difficult to know when the damage was done to Ryan, he retired early as his body was so battered, but you still see people with trauma to the head every game. I guess I would try to get the tackles lower again, also maybe reduce the number to 13, drop the flankers. That way you’d make the game faster, more space, and maybe encourage the players to be smaller and faster. If you increased the points for a try to 6 maybe, encourage a more open game. I’d definitely try to change the working of the scrum, so much time is lost there. More time the ball is in play, more tired people get, smaller and fitter they’d need to be.

Also reduce the number of subs, case in point SA brining on the Bomb Squad,

Shane Howarth, ex All Black and Wales International view on South Africa ...


"South Africa is probably the most negative rugby side I have seen for a long time and are the antithesis of what rugby should be."

He makes a decent point, their players are massive, on the field on the bench and those players waiting in the wings, not only are they massive they are fast and good with the ball.

New Zealand always seemed to have the balance right though, they have a few bulkier players for want of a better word, but they've always produced plenty of athletic players who have some tremendous skill, its rumoured that they are born rugby players and are born with a rugby ball. :smile:

 

[Darran]

https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/todays-rugby-news-50-former-24577103

 

[JustJack]

https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/todays-rugby-news-50-former-24577103

It's very messy, the WRU can't afford a massive payout and then when the game in this country collapses, who do you think will get the blame?

 

[Darran]

https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/alix-popham-dementia-emotional-explosions-27857503

 

[Darran]

https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/wales-international-offers-hope-after-28176930