AUSTRALIA's leading orthopaedic surgeon has called on NRL officials to ban the three-man gang tackle and shoulder charge in a radical move to reduce rugby league's ever-growing injury list.
In round one last week, 17 players - worth a combined $4 million - sustained injuries that will sideline them for a possible total of 122 matches.
Merv Cross said he was horrified to watch the injury toll and stressed players must receive protection from what he described as "legalised thuggery".
"I watched the games and saw all the injuries. It was concerning," Cross said. "The hits, the speed, the strength - it is really at the maximum.
"The speed was extraordinary - they can't go much further. One way to fix it is for each tackle to have two defenders. Not three or four, just two in the tackle.
"That way a player can't get crushed by a third man.
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"They come in late and hit hard in areas where the ball-carrier isn't protected.
"We have to look after the players. Sometimes they send three or four defenders in to simply crush the attack- ing player.
"Shoulder charges should also be outlawed. Rugby union doesn't have it in their game. It's one of the few good things about rugby.
"Players don't go in to make a tackle when they shoulder charge - they go in to do damage. The purpose isn't to tackle the players.
"It is legalised thuggery."
Cross was unconcerned when told his views could damage the gladiatorial aspect of league.
"Gladiators go in for the kill. We want athletes in our game," Cross said.
Leading coaches last night dismissed Cross's call for a two-man limit in each tackle but said the NRL could consider banning the shoulder charge.
"The fans love the shoulder charge but it doesn't have a lot going for it in regards to having mums allowing kids to play the game," Titans coach John Cartwright said.
"It can look dangerous and if they got rid of it wouldn't bother me. It's not something we encourage.
"But I can't agree with two in a tackle - that goes against the fabric of our game. That would be a radical step."
Country coach Laurie Daley said: "Two in a tackle would certainly change the game and there would also be some flow-on effects in other areas.
"As for the shoulder charge, it wouldn't worry me [if it was banned] but I do like it when it comes off."
NRL football operations director Nathan McGuirk dismissed any immediate rule changes. "Historically the early rounds have a higher injury rate than the others," McGuirk said.
"But to change to the laws so dramatically due to injuries across one round of football is unrealistic."
Roosters doctor John Orchard was not surprised by the injury toll in round one.
"Round one is always the highest week of the season," Orchard said.
"The grounds are at their fastest and the players have been in gyms and are more bulked up but less match fit. Players will be more in routine in three to four weeks and the injury toll will decrease."
