Quote: KaeruJim "
I wonder if there's some correlation between how young these guys made their open age debuts - it's hard to overstate the physcial impact for young lads playing against fully grown men (even in Championship). Calls into question our strategy of playing our young players in over-age environments right through the academy too IMO. It's OK having protocols in place but it does not stop you getting concussion from defending, or just from the legitimate force of impact compared to lads more their own age and strength.'"
I've contemplated this for a few years now. The days of 16 and 17 year olds playing regular first grade are over. It's not just head knocks, it also has a huge affect on the body. Look at the state of Jack Walker, as an example. We're essentially expecting kids to take repeated car crash level impacts.
Personally, I don't think it will be long before we introduce a minimum age limit to senior rugby, like they have in Aus.
