@tsarstepan,
I think the difference is in our 3 physical contact codes (Rugby League, Rugby Union and Aussie Rules) hitting the head (or anywhere above the shoulder) of an opponent is forbidden by the rules, and results in fines and lengthy suspensions.
In fact in Union and League the shoulder charge is outlawed, in Union if your arms aren't involved in a tackle then it isn't deemed a tackle and you're penalised.
The long term brain damage aspect is talked about here but we don't have any high profile cases like the US seems to have had recently. Just the other night Willie Mason (Newcastle Knights) was talking about the brain scans the whole team had as part of an education process about head injury.
League recently introduced rules that disallow a concussed player from returning to the field and a player receiving any blow to the head can now be subbed without penalty to his team. So codes are slowly addressing it. Not to be picky but skulls bleed easily. The sort of brain damage that contact sport causes isn't necessarily indicated by blood - subdural hematoma and repetitive brain against inside of skull is more concerning .
Most of our brain damage appears to be evident in our sports commentators. Yes I'm looking at you Ray Hadley.
