SBW backs NRL's shoulder-charge ban

Sonny Bill Williams has lent his weight to the NRL's anti-shoulder charge brigade. Photo / Getty Images.

Sonny Bill Williams has lent his weight to the NRL's anti-shoulder charge brigade.

Williams was rugby league's most famous exponent of the tactic but he is backing the NRL's rule that now bans it from the game.

"Times have changed and you have got to move forward," Stuff reported Williams as saying.
SBW's stance is influenced by the death of a player as the result of a shoulder charge in a Queensland Cup game.

SBW tweeted: "As much as I love the shoulder charge your(sic) right bro, Safety must come first! Such a sad story."

Debate has been re-ignited with Australian hard man Paul Gallen and commentator Peter Sterling, a rugby league great, calling for the shoulder charge to return and the Roosters Kane Evans hitting Bulldogs forward Sam Kasiano in spectacular style over the weekend.

Evans was warned but not suspended because he did not hit Kasiano's head and the Canterbury forward did not suffer any whiplash effect.

Australian captain Cameron Smith is among those who want the shoulder charge ban to remain.