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Queensland Reds general manager Sam Cordingley has called on World Rugby to crack down on hip tackles as it emerged the Roosters have joined the cross-code race to sign standout young Reds star Trayvon Pritchard.
Pritchard broke his ankle and suffered syndesmosis when he was subjected to a dangerous hip-drop tackle during the Junior Wallabies’ defeat to Wales at the Under-20 World Cup in Georgia on Monday night (AEST).
Pritchard is due to fly back to Brisbane on Thursday and undergo surgery which will sideline him for several months and potentially cancel any call-up this year to the Wallabies and/or Australia A’s.
The hugely talented 19-year-old will have plenty of time to consider his future as he has been the subject of furious recruitment bids from several NRL and Rugby Australia-Queensland clubs for his services once his Reds contract expires in 2027.
PNG Chiefs had made offers to Pritchard and his brother Kadin to join the expansion franchise for their debut season in 2028, it was revealed in May. But several other league clubs were also in the hunt, and the Roosters recently made Pritchard a big offer for 2028, according to multiple sources familiar with the matter.
Trayvon Pritchard suffered a serious injury during a hip tackle against Wales at the World Junior Championships.Stan Sports
The Roosters struck gold with the signing of Mark Navaganitawase in 2024 and have a deep rugby squad that includes former Wallabies coach Michael Cheika, who is Trent Robinson’s assistant. They know Pritchard’s generational talent well.
However, RA and Queensland are confident Pritchard will extend his rugby contract after submitting a strong multi-year offer that also includes the opportunity to play sevens at the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028, according to sources informed.
Before suffering an ankle injury, Pritchard showed the Junior Wallabies in Georgia why he was the subject of so much hype and cross-code interest. Playing alongside Zach Fittler at centre, the teenager excelled in four matches, beating 25 defenders and running for 350 metres.
Pritchard made his Reds debut this season, his first year out of school, and played 12 games, mostly off the bench and on the wing. But the Reds have chosen Pritchard as a permanent defender, with veteran Jock Campbell moving to Japan next year and midfielder Izzy Perese also joining the club.
Trayvon Pritchard takes a break against France at the World Junior Championships.World Rugby
Cordingley, a former Wallabies halfback who guided Pritchard through the Reds system, is among those in Australian rugby concerned about the prevalence of serious injuries caused by hip tackles.
Max Jorgensen and Lachie Lonergan required ankle surgery after making hip tackles in recent seasons.
Unlike the NRL and NFL, hip tackles are not prohibited in rugby. They fall under the broader category of foul play and dangerous tackles (Law 9.13), but Cordingley says the law lacks specific language about the danger of the tackler swinging around his hips and putting his body weight on the back of the attacker’s legs.
“World Rugby and competitions around the world are doing really good things in terms of head contact protocols – HIA, chest tackle height and so on,” Cordingley said.
Trayvon Pritchard scores his first Super Rugby try for Queensland in May.Getty Images
“But when you get right down to it, Law 9.13 covers dangerous tackles, early or late tackles, etc., but it specifically talks about head contact and tackle height.
“In our view, for World Rugby, within this framework, it is certainly appropriate to mention this particular tackling technique within this legislation. One of the main reasons for this is simply the severity of the impact of this particular injury. The injuries sustained range from a six-week layoff to potentially career-altering injuries. We’re talking about fractures, syndesmosis, rope surgeries and the like.
“Anecdotally, we see two or three of these tackles a year, with long layoffs for Reds players under contract. We are also seeing a higher prevalence in community and development programs.”
New Zealand Rugby specifically prohibits hip tackles in community rugby due to the high risk of serious lower limb injury. Referees are actively encouraged to penalize such actions in accordance with World Rugby’s dangerous tackle laws.
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World Rugby laws prohibit players from throwing weight onto an opponent’s lower limbs, but this is only mentioned in relation to rucks and mauls, not tackles.
World Rugby has been contacted for comment.
Cordingley said the hip tackle was a “risk for all players”.
“I certainly don’t want to shoot the referee, but the fact is that the law as it stands doesn’t allow for that and that will be evidenced by the referee’s reaction to Trayvon’s injury,” he said.
“There wasn’t even any thought about whether there was a dangerous situation. They’re not really looking for it.”
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Ian Payten is senior sports reporter at The Sydney Morning Herald.Connect via X or e-mail.