A prominent spinal specialist says parents should not allow their children to play rugby league until the code bans the gang tackle that left Newcastle Knights player Alex McKinnon facing quadriplegia.
Dr John Yeo from Sydney's Royal North Shore Hospital was part of the campaign in the 1980s that led to changes to scrum rules in rugby union.
Now he is pushing for a change in rugby league that would ban tackles involving more than two defenders - such as the one that saw McKinnon left with a broken neck and a serious spinal injury.
"Rugby league is, by allowing the multiple tackle, allowing an unacceptable risk to players - both adult and in children," Dr Yeo said.
"I would say, 'Look, find another team sport,' until I was...
