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Hurricanes Motu Matu'u Should He Be Cited? 3 views 10 Comments
28 May 2012 by The Swede Eaters

Connected with: Wiki Player Motu Matu'u

Scotty Donaldson looks at the injury causing tackles by Hurricanes Motu Matu'u. Do you think he should be cited?

Hurricanes hooker Motu Matu'u was responsible for taking out two Rebels players within the space of a few minutes in Wellington on Saturday. He put both Mark Gerard and Lachlan Mitchell in hospital, but showed he's a class act too by seeing that Lachlan Mitchell is alright.

Do you think these tackles are legitimate rugby tackles? These types of tackles are common place in rugby league, but are they genuine rugby tackles? He didn't get cited or sent off or even penalised. He seems to lead with the shoulder but does have arms in these tackles and he tackles relatively front on and pushes up with the legs for power. He doesn't get too high and in this day and age there are plenty of offloads, these tackles prevent offloads.

I think that while these tackles are within in the current rugby laws, they are dangerous and causing injuries. I wonder if the laws will be adjusted to avoid more of these horrific injuries taking place? I think referees will be more aware of these tackles and he may be a referees target from now on.

Do you think Motu Matu'u should be cited for his dangerous tackles?

Watch the video and have your say here!

http://www.superrugbytips.com/2012/05/hurricanes-hooker-motu-matuu-injures.html

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Tags: Super Rugby, Hurricanes, Motu Matu'u

Comments (10)

Rating:

	10 . Real Deal 31 May 2012 10:29 AM Matu'u tackles like an engine block, he stops them dead in their tracks, that's what the coaches tell us to do from day 1. He will knock himself out one day though, as Bulpil states, he takes most of the impact on his own head. He looks like he's making a hit in the scrum.. that's a powerful technique from a powerful front rower.
	9 . turmeric 31 May 2012 09:10 AM In response to Bulpil, just "using arms" in a tackle does not necessitate a fair tackle. Second of all, don't berate Matu'u for trying to help the injured player. Your comment about his actions after the tackle suggesting he was the opposite of a class act are ridiculas. He was trying to help Mitchell and it is those intentions which people are applauding. He may not have done it in the medically correct way, but most other players would move on to the next ruck, Matu'u on the other hand was clearly concerned about his opposition and went back to help him. Although you bring up a good point about how to help players in this situation you are being a bit high and mighty with your suggestions as to how it reflects on the intentions of Matu'u. I do agree though that Matu'u really needs to reconsider his tackling style.
	8 . Bulpil 31 May 2012 01:45 AM I had a close look at the tackles during match transmission. When it happened and the replays. In both cases he uses his head to absorb the impact. He is strong around the neck etc. In the first tackle he didn't use his arms, except to flail them around. That should have been a penalty plus a warning. The second one was with using arms, so - within the rules. No penalty, nothing. I believe he should not be cited. But being strong and everything is not going to stop him injuring his own neck. And that will not be easily fixed. The stupid thing he did, was to try and turn Mitchel over, without supporting his neck. Right after he whiplashed him into a next religion. Somebody should tell him about possible consequences.That action didn't show him up as a class act. Exactly not.
	7 . doug15 29 May 2012 08:11 PM It was the power of the tackle on Mitchell that knocked him out, his head smashed forward into Matu's shoulder because the rest of his body went flying backward. Also most players on defence will slide across with the attack to prevent over laps out wide, both Gerrard and Mitchell were caught out due to Matu coming in hard from the oppisite angle. Rugby is a phyical game and unfortunatly injuries do happen, I am sure he did not mean to injure these two men. They were both strong tackles by a big man doing his job... which is to tackle the man with the ball.
	6 . Barcaldine Bunyips 29 May 2012 01:51 PM The idea that players should just harden up is usually spouted by those trying to put themselves in the class of "tough-man". Rugby is not about getting hurt or concussed. Without some of the sensible rule changes over the years we would have a lot fewer kids playing rugby and a lot more kids playing soccer or tennis instead, because the fact remains no parent worth their salt wants to put their offspring in a situation where serious injury ( received or inflicted) is seen as a badge of honour. I think Union will always be the number one contact sport in NZ, but in Australia it needs to differentiate itself from the cannon-warfare style of league, if it is to be sustainable long-term.
	5 . kiwi_kronic 29 May 2012 01:18 PM I thought he lead with his head more than his shoulder which should get him cited atleast.But he wasnt going high and didnt seem to be doing it with intent to injure. But rugby already has enough issues with the over reffing of the tip tackle, we dont need more reasons to penalise good tackles
	4 . turmeric 29 May 2012 10:07 AM If the ball carrier is getting knocked out by the tackler's shoulder then there is a problem. The Gerrard tackle is fine because he hits him in the chest and that's as far as it goes, but Mitchell get's KO'ed by Matu'u's shoulder, if that's not high and dangerous then what is??
	3 . PatroontjieLR 29 May 2012 01:38 AM Change the rules to touch rugby? Go watch tennis or soccer mate.
	2 . The Swede Eaters 28 May 2012 10:19 PM It is interesting because of have had some commenters on my website thinking that he should be cited.
	1 . Damagesdonkeys 28 May 2012 08:18 PM Harden up bloke , great tackles, clean hits no problem there. ;-)

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