Rugby rules are there to prevent deaths

Some rugby fans lament the proliferation of rules in the game – the rugby union version that is – as interfering with a sport which is meant to be hard, but free-flowing at the same time.

The death of 20-year-old student Vilano Saunders in a recent rugby match shows the authorities have been right to try to control the violent encounters between players who have been getting bigger and stronger over the years.

Saunders was drafted in to the hooker position in the front row of the scrum – although he had never played there and had no training or conditioning specific for that position.

In the first contested scrum, he broke his neck and died later in hospital.

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The opposing team coach allegedly noticed Saunders was not a front-rower and unsuccessfully implored Saunders’ team to only have unopposed scrums.

This is standard practice because players in the front row are at risk if they have not been trained or physically prepared.

The question of why Saunders was put in that position must be asked and answered in any inquiry by the rugby authorities.

And the tragedy should underline the importance of sticking to the rules and procedures. Better to be perceived as dull than put lives at risk.

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