We value your privacy

We and our partners store and/or access information on a device, such as cookies and process personal data, such as unique identifiers and standard information sent by a device for personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, and audience insights, as well as to develop and improve products.

With your permission we and our partners may use precise geolocation. You may click to consent to our and our partners’ processing as described above. Please note that some processing of your personal data may not require your consent, but you have a right to object to such processing.

More Options

Sat 15 Feb 2014 | 05:03
Maurie Fa'asavalu makes huge hit on Andrea Masi in the Aviva Premiership

11
Comments

This massive hit by flanker Maurie Fa'asavalu is from last weekend's match between Wasps and Harlequins, and features Italian back Andrea Masi on the receiving end of a big Samoan shoulder.

While some might question the legality of it, stills show that former rugby league player Fa'asavalu made an attempt to wrap, but his huge arm simply smashed Masi before he could.

Whether that's a correct assesment or not, the impact was absolutely brutal.

With so much rugby on this weekend, your requests and submissions are key to us posting all the best moments from around the world. Get in touch via our Facebook page, Twitter or email.

Posted By: Grant Constable

11 Comments

  • drg
    10:27 AM 20/02/2014

    @the mull,

    Like I said to Jon, this; well not so much this, but tackles like this, are the ones which come under scrutiny, they are the 'questionable' tackles... Chasing down the ball carrier from behind and pulling him down by his shorts or jersey are never scrutinised, nor 'questionable' so they aren't really able to be included. I know what you're getting at and I can see your point, chasing a guy, last minute ditch you might jump and grab with your hands at their jersey and drag them down to save the try, but no one is going to question that.

    Next time there is a big hit, ask yourself whether it would be possible with 'snatchy hands'...

    The two types are apples and oranges really... they're both 'tackles' but not in the same category, in fact, we call a tap tackle a tackle, but it's clearly not defined as a tackle in the laws.

    What I'm getting at, is we can all be insanely pedantic, or we can agree that the whole thing is an 'attempt' to do something. If you want to attempt grasp; which to me implies hands, your opponent when you try to put in a big hit then by all means go for it, however I will still be attempting to 'wrap' next time I throw a shoulder in!

  • drg
    2:27 AM 19/02/2014

    But the 'questionable' tackles are never those which involves chasing someone down and tackling them from behind - ooh er - Unlike this 'sort' of tackle (which for the record is not really questionable in my eyes).

    So that only leaves the 'big' tackles that come under any scrutiny.. Now for the record, I'm not sure how many 'big' tackles you've ever made, but tell me how many 'big tackles' involved grabbing the guys shirt? Chances are the answer is none. I can't say I recall any big tackles which involved wildly grabbing someones jersey... So all that really leaves is a shoulder first..

    So really the only way you can 'grasp' a player when you stick a shoulder in, is to throw your arm(s) round afterwards - hence why people often refer to 'wrapping' or attempting to wrap.

    If you watch this video again, what IIIII see, is an 'attempt to wrap' which ends up as a successful 'grasp' of jersey as the player hits the floor (which for the record; if this was an illegal tackle, I would deem too late - you can hardly shoulder charge someone, then grab their shirt on the ground and claim you grasped).

    I agree that the whole point of the law is to weed out 'arm in' sort of tackles.. but 'attempt to wrap' is a fair call in layman terms which incorporates the most common attempted outcome to a big tackle (a wrap, rather than a grasp)...

  • themull
    8:25 PM 18/02/2014

    Grasping could include pulling a guy down by his jersey or shorts, or any body part, which is common when a guy is chasing down the ball carrier from behind..

  • drg
    9:13 AM 18/02/2014

    I don't disagree with you there Jon, however are you reading my posts? Or replying to me? Please elaborate on other ways to grasp - Like I said previously, there aren't a whole lot, using your hands is one way, however it's less effective than 'bear hugging' (or wrapping)...

    So really, the problem does not stem from the concept of 'wrap' or 'grasp'. The only thing people need to understand is 'attempt'.

    I think it's unfortunate this debate has appeared on this particular tackle, as we are definitely both in agreement that it is a great tackle.

  • drg
    2:20 PM 17/02/2014

    Not sure why it's a NH invention?

    But just to try and clear things up a bit, it seems more likely that people are getting confused with words rather than with the laws... Either buy a thesaurus everyone or read between the lines..

    Grasp = seize and hold firmly
    Wrap = cover or enclose

    So in this scenario (rugby) I think we can all agree that 'wrapping, is a form of grasping'... in other words grasp = wrap more or less..

    The only alternative to wrapping that I can see as a definition of grasp, is to 'grasp' with your hands, or shall we say 'grab', which is a much less effective form of 'tackling' if you were indeed to run around the pitch 'grabbing' or 'grasping' peoples body parts or shirts..

    Jon, you described the perfect tackle technique, however 'then try and throw the arms around and drag the guy down'... so wouldn't that; essentially, be easily defined as 'attempt to wrap'... I mean if I were to pick up one of the tall tackle bag (pole things) I wouldn't necessarily 'grasp' it, I'd wrap my damn arm around it...

    As I described in a previous comment, the easiest way to probably look at this is with the view of 'arm out or arm tucked in'...

    Arm out: This tackle.
    Arm in: http://www.rugbydump.com/2013/04/3111/maa-nonu-puts-the-shoulder-into-former-team-mate-piri-weepu

  • cheyanqui
    2:04 PM 17/02/2014

    by Northern Hemisphere invention - do you mean the English common law concept of precedence in law, whereby historical rulings over time establish the precedent?

    if so, while "attempt to wrap" isn't codified in the law, it's clearly there from a common law point of view.

    laws vs rules -- learn it, live it, love it

  • stroudos
    1:54 PM 17/02/2014

    Exactly Jon. And this guy does such a good job of grasping the tacklee, that - despite smashing him backwards in the tackle - he is still grasping Masi's shirt when he touches the ground. In fact, based on that criterion alone this is a textbook tackle.

  • aidy668
    1:27 PM 17/02/2014

    If you don't "attempt" to "wrap your arm" then you are quite clearly not "making an attempt to grasp" it is impossible to grasp another body with your arm out straight or tucked in. I'm not commenting on this particular tackle as it looked to me like he was bringing the arm round to attempt it but just noting the contradiction in what your saying about what are by the way not "rules of rugby" no such thing - they are the "LAWS" of rugby! ;)

  • drg
    2:22 PM 16/02/2014

    The thing is right, if you tackle someone to the ground, you then have to get to your feet, 'release them' and then grab the ball....

    Does this not just cut out the need to get back up and release them? Surely now he can go straight for the ball... if he has it...

    From what I understand: 'Basically lamely swung his to make it look like he did. ' THAT is all you need to do...

  • 2:05 PM 16/02/2014


    Couldn't wrap?

    He didn't even try to wrap! Basically lamely swung his to make it look like he did. Which I don't understand because it still would have been a big tackle! Other than perhaps the concept that if u wrap u r less able to deliver a blow.

    What I think is happening is that he's positioned his body so that he cannot wrap.

  • drg
    4:03 AM 16/02/2014

    No questioning of legality from me, was a cracking hit!

    I suppose rather than 'attempt to wrap' maybe there is call for 'arm tucked in', 'not tucked in' explanations or something... which is really what it all boils down too...

Related Articles