Rugby videos of tackles, tries, funny incidents and more: James Haskell great tackle on Census Johnston

Sunday, October 11, 2009

James Haskell great tackle on Census Johnston

A few weeks back we featured a story and video about James Haskell and life in France. He spoke about his England ambitions and why playing in the Top 14 will sharpen him up and help his game.

It seems to be doing the trick so far, as the 24 year old has already shown a marked improvement in his form and in Stade's 9-9 draw with Toulouse in Round 8, he made his impact felt a few minutes from time.

Coming on as a sub, Haskell made this incredible hit on the 135kg front rower Census Johnston.

The score was tied at 9-9 at the time, with 2 minutes left, so the Toulouse coaching staff were furious at the ref for allowing the hit, as they had hoped a kickable penalty would be awarded for a 'tip' tackle. It was deemed legal though, and the match ended as a draw.

Against Edinburgh this weekend, Haskell made a nuisance of himself all day as the men from Paris won the match 33-7. He was involved in multiple turnovers and played a part in two of their tries, and almost scored his own, but was held up over the line.

Playing in a revitalised Stade Francais side, James Haskell looks to be making all the right moves towards reclaiming his place in the England team. Come the end of the year, we may well see him lose the dynamic pink for the slightly less glamorous, but far more cherished white.

:: Related Posts ::
James Haskell at Stade Francais in Paris

Time: 0:54

First

By TotalRugby, at October 11, 2009 6:42 pm
second, what a tackle! I didnt know Haskell could do that

By Anonymous, at October 11, 2009 6:43 pm
Yes he has been playing well since St Francais got going this season. Amazing how motivated he looks after looking exactly the opposite at Wasps last season.

By John F, at October 11, 2009 7:38 pm
Good tackle but he still sucks

By IaReClevar, at October 11, 2009 8:42 pm
....close to a spear!!!

By Anonymous, at October 11, 2009 9:06 pm
the 2nd stade player into the tackle is the one who nearly makes it spear great tackle haskell

By Anonymous, at October 11, 2009 9:28 pm
is close to a spear but thats safe. good hit

By Anonymous, at October 11, 2009 9:44 pm
Totally legal. No, anonymous, it's not "close to a spear" bar that he took the man up into the air. He also took him straight to the ground and landed him on his side.

By felipe, at October 11, 2009 10:44 pm
of course it was legal, but I think he meant it looked like a spear

By Anonymous, at October 11, 2009 10:54 pm
I read that Census Johnston is 135 kgs (300 lbs). Great technique to stop a big guy in his tracks.

By Anonymous, at October 11, 2009 11:49 pm
Census cant be 135kg. Look at guys like Carl Hayman, Neemia Tialata and Martin Catrogiovanni, they're every bit as big if not bigger but none of them are 130kg even

By Jeffrey, at October 12, 2009 12:12 am
is that really worthy of a highlights reel ? Its a good tackle but not that exciting

By jamestheconvict, at October 12, 2009 12:32 am
It's a good tackle.
Not even close to a spear tackle.
And you can't tell someone's weight by just looking at them Jeffrey.

By Tommo, at October 12, 2009 12:36 am
"the 2nd stade player into the tackle is the one who nearly makes it spear great tackle haskell"

Totally agree.

By Pitseleh, at October 12, 2009 12:49 am
Completely ILLEGAL. made no attempt to place the player down carefully. Typical English thug...

By Anonymous, at October 12, 2009 12:54 am
illegal? yea lets make our sport as soft as football. Good one guys, good one.

By Alexander, at October 12, 2009 1:18 am
"place the player down carefully" are you f***ing joking? What sport do you think this is? In the words of Tana 'it's not tiddlywinks'.

By Anonymous, at October 12, 2009 1:34 am
The 23 was the danger there, he was a bit sloppy, great hit from haskell and i generally think he's an over hyped indisciplined arse.

By Anonymous, at October 12, 2009 1:36 am
The guys saying its illegal have got to be kidding. Its a great tackle on a monster of a player.

By WelshOsprey, at October 12, 2009 2:08 am
the HASK!!!

By Anonymous, at October 12, 2009 4:34 am
Beautifull tackle stopped him in his tracks, nice clean hit.

By Andrew, at October 12, 2009 4:46 am
i love james haskell!!!!!! he is sooooo hot!!!

By winnie, at October 12, 2009 6:45 am
"Place him down carefully"??????
WTF???
Who are you kidding?
I garuntee you've never played rugby in your life.
It's rugby, they try to hurt each other. Go watch soccer or something.

By Tommo, at October 12, 2009 8:02 am
Felipe and the other "that's completely fine" posters here are wrong...

That was close to a spear, because Haskell lifts Johnson, and twists him so Johnsons head is level with his hips. Haskell then drives the player to the ground.

It is legal.

However, had Haskell twisted him anymore, so that Johnson's neck, not upper arm, was driven into the ground it would have been a spear and illegal.

There is a fine line between a legal dump and a spear... players choosing to take both legs and lift as Haskell does have been told by the IRB that they are responsible for what happens next.

Given the momentum involved in these hits, and the strength of modern players, hitting like this will occasionally result in players looking for a dump going too far.

Regarding the second player coming into the tackle, while he may have exacerbated the twist, Haskell made the choice to lift Johnson, and is threrfore responsible for him.

Given the dangers of driving a player into the ground by his neck or head the IRB have got the ruling spot on on this...

By Hackney Griffin, at October 12, 2009 4:53 pm
very close to a spear

By Anonymous, at October 12, 2009 5:09 pm
pfft.. good tackle, too much pontificating by people about spear tackling.
This was fine, Johnson virtually congratulated Haskell on the tackle.

By Tommo, at October 13, 2009 12:18 am
strict letter of the rule, Johnston was beyond horizontal -- notice his shoulders (and elbow) hitting well before his trunk and lower body.

The rule is there to protect not just the spine, but also the shoulder and elbow. If Johnston falls onto his elbow, with the weight of 1-2 tacklers, it could be nasty.

That said, glad to see the refs let this go at the pro level. Perhaps something at the age grades you call more strictly.

By cheyanqui, at October 14, 2009 6:38 pm