Captain Hook wrote:
I'm not sure I know what "winning the collision " actually means? When the tackle is complete shouldn't the tackler let go? As for "surrender" isn't that a voluntary tackle and therefore a penalty...or has that rule gone?
It's interpreted a lot in it's basic form, which is when the ball carrier goes down face first, he's classed as having won the collision. If the defenders turn him on his back or side, they are.
In reality it needs a little more than that, as you get the leaning tower approach a lot, where players go in falling at a 45 degree angle, so inevitably end up on their front, to promote a quick play the ball. Or you get defenders wrestling with the ball carrier to artificially force them onto their back.
The rule should be that if the ball carrier makes ground after the collision he's entitled to a quick play the ball. You don't get that now, teams like Wigan will get false numbers in. Two or three will stop the player, then another two will jump on when the referee is about to shout held, or even after, to delay the play the ball. For me, that in itself should be penalisable. If the ball carrier is stopped dead, or loses ground after the collision, then the defending team should have an extra couple of seconds.
Moving off the mark also needs to be penalised. That causes a lot of the penalties and messy play at the play the ball. Teams like Wigan (Theme here?) will consistently move forward when the tackle is complete. It's really common when the referee shouts held, they will continue to drive forward for three or four steps, playing the ball on the move and often colliding with the markers, who are then penalised. Also happens when the ball carrier is taken to ground, they will get up and take a step to the side before playing the ball. The makers again are often penalised for not being square. In either scenario it also reduces the 10, leaving the fans of the team in possession going ape about not getting penalties for offside.