Hip-drop tackle added to rugby’s global rule book

World Rugby has officially moved to ban the hip-drop tackle globally, defining it as dangerous play starting November 1 ahead of the Nations Championship Tests. The decision comes after sustained calls from Australian rugby officials and a string of serious injuries across international rugby and other football codes, including high-profile incidents involving Penrith halfback Nathan Cleary and NFL receiver Tyquan Thornton.

Under the new law, a hip-drop will be penalized and potentially referred to a judiciary when a tackler swings around or through a ball carrier and drops their body weight onto the player's legs. World Rugby chairman Brett Robinson emphasized that player welfare drove the rapid implementation of the ban.