Cotton McKnight's Contributions

Ian, I wasn't condoning "stomping", as you implied. When rucking was allowed in the past, stomping was illegal then as it is at any time. Rugby survived for decades with players rucking each other, you can't tell me this kind of physical play is any tougher than being cut in two by a diving Stirling Mortlock tackle, or being hit at full pace by Rocky Elsom, both quite legal and part of the game. But when it is foul play it is foul play, and should be penalised as such. The problem with the application of the rucking rule is that the ref has so man options he has to consider. Making him responsible to police the ruck area slows down the play by too many stopages. Allowing a player to "ruck" lets the ref allow the play to continue without having to pull up the play for a player laying over the ball. It also commits players to the breakdown creating more space out wide. Rugby has too many laws.

Time to get professional about rule changes

11 Dec 2009

oikee, you said we need betting. Could you explain what you mean by this? I'll be up front, I don't like gambling much, I've seen too many people, personally, that have had real problems with it, doing real damage. But I can also see the fun in putting on a bet. I am not trying to ban it. But I am concerned that as A sponsor to NRL and channel nine, the promotion of it make me a bit uncomfortable. Peter Sterling and Rabs telling us the ongoing odds, but making sure we bet responsibly.

Gambling on matches a risky bet for the NRL

10 Dec 2009

One of the major problems in rugby is that the referee has far too many rule at any one moment to apply. The breakdown is the worst of all. Changeing the rules to favour the attacking team, still my preference, would possibly just make to defending team commit less players to the ruck, or breakdown as it is now referred to, thus stacking the defensive line making it harder to run the ball. You know one of the best moments in the recent Aust v Wales match was when a Welsh player used his foot to "ruck", the Australian player objected, and the ref shook his head and dismissed his complaint saying he was going for the ball. Why have we lost this. The Welsh player was in his rights to go for the ball, and I still believe if a player lays over the ball stopping it's release, he need to be told that is is not acceptable, after a few rucks he will learn, it also commits forwards to the ruck and opens the backline in defence. Common sense refereeing must be rewarded. But this is not an IRB directive.

Time to get professional about rule changes

10 Dec 2009