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I am brought to the point of gagging by some of the criticism expressed about the new rugby rules. I want it explained to me, for instance, why the ELVs reduce the importance of the set piece, particularly scrums?
Teams will quite obviously use the scrum as an option for free kicks if they either have an advantage in that area, or want to give their players an opportunity to rest.
The reduction in kicks at goal in the opposing teams half may well lead to more scrums. The ELVs extra 5 metres of room for the attacking backs and backrowers to work with will improve this particular set piece as an attacking platform.
As far as lineouts are concerned, there will be less. But this lost set piece opportunity is replaced by the extra scrums. Hopefully there will be a lot more attacking play in the form of backline movements from 30 metres out from a team’s defensive line. And more counter attacking.
I don’t understand what other lost elements of ‘set piece’ rugby the critics of ELVs are referring to besides scrums and lineouts.
If they are trying to say that structured play, which sees a lot more backline on backline defending, will be reduced, that is just ludicrous.
Rugby has been becoming a 15-man game for many years now because defenses have advanced to the point where backline moves from non-broken play structured phase ball are no longer achieving success. Teams that thrived on structured play, like the Brumbies, are having to change because defenses in the Super 14 have grown in skill, tactics and power.
Teams such as the Crusaders have, for years, been adept at using powerful linking runs between backs and forwards to create broken field opportunities for their lightning fast outside backs to take advantage of. How can anyone claim that the Crusaders in full flight are not exciting?
It is so exciting to see the likes of Jerry Collins, Ali Williams and Jason Eaton for New Zealand, or Stephen Hoiles for Australia, running through holes and linking up with backs rather than simply making a few metres and laying it back for structured ball. It’s not that this ability to create structured ball is not still important, it’s just that top quality defenses are more than up to the task of defending against it if that’s all you’ve got.
The obvious question to ask is this: if broken field play rather than structured rugby has already been the most successful brand of rugby in recent years, why did South Africa, a nation notorious for ‘boring’ structured rugby, win the World Cup and New Zealand get knocked out at the quarter final stages?
Although there are many answers to this question, the most obvious answer is simple: the penalty goal.
Every time I saw a team run the ball instead of taking what would have been an obvious kick at goal in the first week of the Super 14, I got a tingle of excitement.
What could possibly be wrong with having the ball in someone’s hands more often?
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.