I cant see the argument

[RobLev]

We're obviously made of different stuff this side of the border, I have never seen nor heard of this being penalised.

Swinging people by their collar, certainly, but not being dragged down.

Even the NFL banned the practice, after a series of major injuries caused by its use:

The horse-collar tackle rose to infamy during the 2004 NFL season, in which it was implicated in six major injuries, four of which were caused by Williams, including two in one game. The injuries that season included broken legs for Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Terrell Owens, Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb, Baltimore Ravens running back Musa Smith, and Tennessee Titans wide out Tyrone Calico.

...

The horse-collar is particularly dangerous due to the awkward position of the player being tackled, who will often fall backward in a twisting motion with one or both legs trapped under the weight of his body. This is exacerbated if the player's foot gets caught in the turf and by the additional weight of the defender. Potential injuries include sprains or tears to ligaments in the knees and ankles (including the ACL and MCL), and fractures of the tibia and fibula.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horse-collar_tackle

 

[Blackberry]

Seriously though, Taff has raised a point; Is the collar tackle universally regarded as foul play, and if so should we not remind the players? We could solve the problem in an instant simply by telling everyone its foul play.

 

[RobLev]

Seriously though, Taff has raised a point; Is the collar tackle universally regarded as foul play, and if so should we not remind the players? We could solve the problem in an instant simply by telling everyone its foul play.

This was discussed here about 5 years ago:

http://www.rugbyrefs.com/showthread.php?8165-Has-the-law-on-grabbing-a-player-by-the-collar-changed

Consensus appears to have been it's foul play.

(Taff raised it then; its Mat04 that's out of step this time...).

 

[beckett50]

Nailed on decision to me.

Hopefully when the coach sees a replay of the game on the video - that was no doubt made - he will reflect on his rant.

 

[chbg]

Is he divine?