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Hasler: Make field wider
Written by Adam Lucius sportal.com.au
Tuesday, 29 March 2011 16:31
http://www.sportal.com.au/league-news-display/des-make-field-wider-116578
Manly coach Des Hasler has proposed widening the width of rugby league fields in a bid to cut down on the number of collision-related injuries decimating the NRL's playing ranks.
A day after urging the NRL to relax its strict salary cap policy to allow long-term injured players to be replaced by players outside the nominated squad, the innovative Hasler went a step further with a radical plan to alter the dimensions of the playing arena.
He suggested increasing the width of the field by 3m on each side, arguing the more space, the less likelihood of big hits and subsequent injury.
A record number of players have been sidelined following a ferocious opening to the season.
"Don't extend the squad, extend the size of the field," Hasler said on Tuesday.
"If you've got a bigger field they've got to do more chasing so there's more running."
"There is more space to run into so the hits are less."
Hasler conceded he hadn't thoroughly worked through the logistics of implementing such a change given most NRL grounds are purpose built for rugby league and have little room to move outside existing perimeters.
But he made no apology for provoking thought.
"It's harder, they're faster. They (the collisions) are mini car accidents such is the speed and intensity and the size and strength of them," he said.
"Something has got to give and it's usually bones and joints."
"It's about putting things out there and that (widening the field) is one to think about."
"I have heard of worse ones than that."
Hasler says such is the ferocity of the game in the modern era, he has not been able to field his best side since the 2008 season.
It's why he is arguing for squad numbers to be lifted without clubs paying the price under the salary cap.
"Getting your full squad on the field at one time is not a reality anymore," Hasler said.
"For us it's been well over 18 months to two years since we've had our full contingent."
"It's the long-standing injuries that can have such an impact."
"A club's season can more or less come down to a couple of crucial injuries."
"Is 25 players enough anymore given the ferocity and the intensity of the game?"
http://www.sportal.com.au/league-news-display/des-make-field-wider-116578
Written by Adam Lucius sportal.com.au
Tuesday, 29 March 2011 16:31
http://www.sportal.com.au/league-news-display/des-make-field-wider-116578
Manly coach Des Hasler has proposed widening the width of rugby league fields in a bid to cut down on the number of collision-related injuries decimating the NRL's playing ranks.
A day after urging the NRL to relax its strict salary cap policy to allow long-term injured players to be replaced by players outside the nominated squad, the innovative Hasler went a step further with a radical plan to alter the dimensions of the playing arena.
He suggested increasing the width of the field by 3m on each side, arguing the more space, the less likelihood of big hits and subsequent injury.
A record number of players have been sidelined following a ferocious opening to the season.
"Don't extend the squad, extend the size of the field," Hasler said on Tuesday.
"If you've got a bigger field they've got to do more chasing so there's more running."
"There is more space to run into so the hits are less."
Hasler conceded he hadn't thoroughly worked through the logistics of implementing such a change given most NRL grounds are purpose built for rugby league and have little room to move outside existing perimeters.
But he made no apology for provoking thought.
"It's harder, they're faster. They (the collisions) are mini car accidents such is the speed and intensity and the size and strength of them," he said.
"Something has got to give and it's usually bones and joints."
"It's about putting things out there and that (widening the field) is one to think about."
"I have heard of worse ones than that."
Hasler says such is the ferocity of the game in the modern era, he has not been able to field his best side since the 2008 season.
It's why he is arguing for squad numbers to be lifted without clubs paying the price under the salary cap.
"Getting your full squad on the field at one time is not a reality anymore," Hasler said.
"For us it's been well over 18 months to two years since we've had our full contingent."
"It's the long-standing injuries that can have such an impact."
"A club's season can more or less come down to a couple of crucial injuries."
"Is 25 players enough anymore given the ferocity and the intensity of the game?"
http://www.sportal.com.au/league-news-display/des-make-field-wider-116578
