The Rugby Football League say the data gathered from the first match of a six-week trial aiming to reduce head contact will help shape the future of the game.
Leeds Rhinos and Bradford Bulls' academy teams made history on Thursday evening as they played under new rules that saw tackling above the armpit outlawed. But the first game on the experiment was eye-opening to say the least, with a staggering 57 penalties given during the match with 49 of them for high tackles.
It is hoped that the trial period will help experts gather data and see if the new rulings can prevent head contact, which would make the game safer in the future. However, there are some obvious early challenges relating to the spectacle of the sport, with Thursday's match a tough watch for all involved.
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The trial will continue at academy level for six weeks, which will see a number of clubs involved. Hull FC and St Helens will take part in the trial on Saturday.
When contacted for comment by Rugby League Live, RFL CEO Tony Sutton said: “The sport should be grateful to the young players of Bradford Bulls, Leeds Rhinos and the other club Academies who will be involved in the trial over the next four weeks – and to their coaches, and to the group of young match officials who have also embraced the challenge.
“Since we first introduced players, coaches, match officials and parents to the plans a few weeks ago, we have been asking these youngsters to adjust to fundamental changes to the way in which they have played or officiated the sport. These law trials have been introduced after extensive research and consultation across the sport. Following the investment in instrumented mouthguards at various levels including the Academy, Professor Ben Jones and his team at Leeds Beckett University have already been able to start analysing the data from the opening fixture, and its impact on the way the match was played, and therefore on the spectacle.
“That analysis will continue as the trial continues over the coming weeks, and through the summer after it has ended. This will provide objective data which the RFL Board and wider stakeholders in Rugby League can use, when considering various player welfare initiatives in the short, medium and long term.”
From a club perspective, Leeds Rhinos' head of youth John Bastian expressed his concerns following the contest.
"I understand what the RFL are doing but something has to be better than that for us to make our sport safer because that is very, very difficult to watch and play in," he told the Yorkshire Post . My biggest concern was that if there were going to be 50, 60, 70 penalties then there is no game and no momentum. There is no game for the spectators to watch."
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