I wouldn't say I'm so knowledgable about it, but to answer the question:
1. Rugby was amateur until circa '95 while league had been professional for 100 years or so. It's quite widely known that league defensive systems in the 90s were superior to union. It's why league defensive coaches were employed in union in the late 90s/early 2000s and is a very large part of why union became so boring.
2. I played rugby in the 80s, rugby & league (mainly league) in the 90s, and went back to mainly union in the late 90s/early 2000s. I had some pretty good coaches in both codes, and played with and against some very good players (who played for both the All Blacks and the Kiwis). Note: I was an average player (maybe worse), I am not claiming to be good at either code, but we were coached in completely different tackle techniques in terms of body positioning.
In union, we learned as kids to tackle low and bring the player down so you could form a ruck or get the turnover. In union you didn't want them staying upright in the tackle (most of the time) as it can lead to a rolling maul which is a pain in the arse to defend against (legalised obstruction and shepherding). In league, we were taught to wrap up the ball before bringing the player down or you leave a hole if they offload after contact. When I went back to union I had to readjust my technique to go lower as union forwards to tended to run with lower body positions than league (where forwards tended to run more upright).
I couldn't tell you specifically why the differences came about, it could be amateur vs professionalism. It could have been due to league utilising gang tackling earlier.
I'd also say that union tackling has started to look more like league tackling in the last 15-20 years (albeit without the wrestling/grappling).
100% agree with all this mate.
Also played both codes, and still play league (not very well these days but that’s another story lol).
In Rugby we we’re always coached to legs tackle so your next guy can try and jackal the ball, or you can release and get up and have a go at a turnover yourself.
League is completely different. It’s all about ruck control and slowing down the ptb.
The ideal League tackle we were always coached is a three man tackle,
First two guys in
- Hit high, shoulders in to win the Collision, one guy calls and makes the ‘Catch’ (locks up the ball carrying arm) and other guy wraps.
Wrestle
-Catch guy is control guy, has the levers
- Between the two of you take away all breathing space
- Hips in tight so ball carrier can’t hit knees
-key is to extend this part as long as you can before…
3rd man in
- Wraps Legs
With legs pinned two up top turtle the ball carrier with catch guy on levers calling which way to turn ball carrier, and ideally work to come down on top of eachother so the ball carrier is on his back with two players stacked on top of him.
legs guy usually works straight back to A defender.
If the top two completed the process properly they peel off one at a time, ref will usually give you a bit of leniency with getting off if your stacked on top of eachother, whereas if you come down in seperate areas you’ll be both expected to get up as soon as he calls to release. Which is where you often see a guy caught behind the ruck when that happens.
A variation these days is when legs guy instead of wrapping just grabs a leg on early yardage tackles, then everyone just pulls the ball runner back towards their goal line.
Obviously it depends on situation but the only time you really want to legs tackle is if you’re one on one and you absolutely have to. You’ll generally have to release straight away, PTB speed is too fast, getting markers set is difficult etc.
But if you’re a defensive beast like the Jurbo, Ray Stone types and you’re confident you’re going to put the ball carrier on his arse/back by yourself then you’ll get away with it.
, but your answer is on point.
www.zerotackle.com
it's clear he will be a better player at the Broncos then he was here.
24 - 12
