Rugby: Dangerous tackles back in spotlight after All Blacks test

Whether you're in the gym or tackling on the field, technique is everything. And as Remy Grosso discovered, can be make or break.

The French winger was hospitalised after Saturday's opening test following an incident that's once again put the focus on dangerous tackles.

"You can't afford to get it wrong because it has quite a big consequence," said All Blacks forward Luke Whitelock.

Head shots and yellow cards are often vilified, but they can be hard to avoid.

With ball carriers tending to use a low body position to get go-forward, especially around the fringes of the breakdown, heads often come into the firing line more than the torso.

"The way things are being refereed, if you get that part wrong you can see yourself sitting on the sidelines. "It's something we have to train and get better at."

The responsibility is on the defender to make the tackle safe.

So, what can you do when the opposition player burrows into you at the last moment?

"It's all about timing, and trying to read the player and what they're going to do," said France’s Bernard Le Roux. "Sometimes it's really difficult."

The rule also applies to clearing-out at the ruck where late movement, combined with low body positions, can have nasty results.

"It's just the way it's going now," said Franks. "You've got to take some time to sight a good target. You are dealing with split second decisions."

When those decisions are made players roll the dice, knowing the slightest error could mean a sin-bin or red card.

"Every game there are calls that might go our way, or don't go our way, and that's part of the game," added Le Roux.

It's a problem rugby has to tackle head on.

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