SAM Warburton has insisted proposed rule changes around tackling could end up hampering rugby’s quest to deal with concussion.
The French Rugby Federation has suggested forcing players to tackle opponents below the chest.
But Warburton believes concussion in the sport is ‘unavoidable’ and something players will have to accept. He has grave doubts that the French blueprint will be the solution.
Instead the two-time British and Irish Lion captain called for a universal protocol for players with head injuries.
“The rule change might help but then you’d have a massive emphasis on tackle technique because you can still get your head on the wrong side,” Warburton said.
“I’ve been concussed tackling low and high, you have to accept playing rugby that it’s almost unavoidable but you accept that risk when you go in a car or a plane, that’s just the sport we play.
“I think lowering it could make it safer but dropping it too low could have the reverse effect, so I think just keeping it in the mid-range, anything chest and below for me is fine.”
Warburton struggled with numerous injuries throughout his career, enough to force him into a shock early retirement last year when he decided his body couldn’t take any more punishment.
With World Rugby criticising the standard of referees in the opening fixtures, the sport’s ability to govern itself safely on the field has been called into question.
Warburton believes that any fresh action should focus on what happens off the pitch, with standardised concussion treatment to prevent the possibility of second-impact syndrome, where players are most at risk from life-threatening injury.
“It would be good to have a universal protocol,” Warburton added.
“When you get that second impact it can be quite dangerous so for the safety of everyone who plays rugby across the world it’s important to send a good message out so participation levels are still good in the future.”
The retired rugby star also had strong words of support for fellow Welsh international Gareth Thomas – after completing his Iron Man challenge alongside a documentary to end the stigma surrounding HIV.
The documentary “Gareth Thomas: HIV and Me”, tackled the myths and misunderstandings surrounding the disease as the former British and Irish Lion showed an educational insight into living with the condition whilst going public with his diagnosis.
Warburton had nothing but support and admiration for his former international teammate.
“Gareth’s been great, in 2009 we played in the same game and he came out to an amazing standing ovation in the Cardiff City Stadium, having so many messages of support since that,” he said.
“It’s great that he’s doing it again and really making an influence in other people’s lives, he’s been a massive inspiration not just from a Welsh rugby perspective but worldwide in representing what he stands for.
“It’s like anything, people who are homophobic, sexism, racism, I just can’t get my head around any of it.
“It is a very old-fashioned way of thought for me, what was great with Gareth when he first came out is that it didn’t change a single thing within the Cardiff Blues environment.
“All the boys still love him, it makes no difference whatsoever, so I think it’s something that has been blown out of proportion, and I think for most people it makes no difference whatsoever.”
With the release of his autobiography ‘Open Side’, Warburton isn’t afraid to talk about the darker areas of rugby that often stays behind the scenes, and hopes this release will help shine a light on the more difficult side of the game – and inspiring others in all walks of life.
“I didn’t really expect it to do as well, I’m only 30 now so it feels quite weird to do one this early,” he continued.
“It gives a more honest insight where other people may not be comfortable talking about. I don’t mind talking about the vulnerable side of myself, playing rugby is quite tough.
“Hopefully it’s just a good insight into what it’s actually like to be a rugby player. It is a privilege but there’s a harder side to it as well and the time was right.
“There are some leadership messages in there, something for competitive people in all walks of life, sportsman, businessmen, anything like that.
“I think it’s good for people to learn about the sport, I want to be an ambassador for the game and I want people to pick up a rugby ball, generate more interest around rugby and I want it to be our national sport.
“Doing it around the time of the World Cup seems like the ideal time, so hopefully it can inspire the next generation.”
(Images: Matthew Lofthouse)
