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New Zealand All Black coach Graham Henry, center, flanked by Byron Kelliher, left and Richie McCaw during a training session in Edinburgh, Scotland, Friday, Sept 21, 2007. New Zealand are preparing for a Rugby World Cup Group C match against Scotland in Edinburgh. AP Photo/NZPA, Ross Setford
The most crucial Test of Wallabies coach Robbie Deans’ reign has been overshadowed by All Blacks coach Graham Henry questioning whether rugby is any good as a spectacle.
As Australia and New Zealand prepared for an ANZ Stadium showdown which could decide the Bledisloe Cup, and will virtually end the Tri Nations hopes of one of the sides, Henry reacted to the game’s most recent kicking epidemic with a call for rule changes.
The boot of South African five-eighth Morne Steyn has arguably been the tournament’s most influential feature so far, with the No.10 kicking eight and then seven penalty goals to ensure victories over the All Blacks in Durban and Australia in Cape Town.
Rugby’s trial of new rules appeared to be dead in the water when, after intense opposition from northern hemisphere unions, the International Rugby Board adopted a watered-down version of the game’s experimental law variations (ELVs) in May.
Crucially, the short-arm sanction for most breakdown offences was left out, and the predictable result has been less running rugby.
“The product that you’re looking at I think needs attention, quite frankly,” Henry told a Sydney press conference on Friday.
” … The product’s not too great and that’s disappointing.
” … Maybe if you had a mark every time the ball was kicked in the air, no matter where it was on the pitch, you could have a scrum back or a free-kick from that mark.
“It may make the game a bit more entertaining.
“I think we need to think outside the square about how we can change the game so it’s more enjoyable to play and better to watch.”
Asked if New Zealand would lobby the IRB in time for rule changes to be made in a two-year window before the next World Cup, Henry said: “We’re always looking at trying to do that as part of the ongoing process.”
Henry’s captain, Richie McCaw, said his main focus was on playing the game as it is currently governed.
But he also added: “At the moment you get rewarded for putting the ball in the air and playing at the right end of the field and forcing teams into mistakes and maybe that is something that needs to be looked at.
” … I think you’ve got to be rewarded for having the skill to use the ball in hand.”
Henry conceded southern hemisphere rugby needed an entertaining game on Saturday night.
“Yeah, it probably does,” he said.
Deans stopped short of backing Henry but said it was unsurprising the removal of the sanctions ELV had resulted in more kicking.
“When you look back at the World Cup in `07, it was always a possibility, particularly when you’ve got a side like South Africa who are so able to play the game that way,” Deans said.
“They essentially won the World Cup in 2007 without playing.
“There is a lot of kicking but the kicking has improved as well.”
Deans said the current laws needed to be given a chance through better policing.
“I think we’re missing the opportunity to keep people on their feet (at the breakdown),” he said.
“If we do that we’ll get the benefit of the laws the way they are currently … It will provide more scope to play.”
The debate is not expected to affect Saturday’s gate, with more than 70,000 tickets believed to be have been sold already.
2-New Zealand v 3-Australia
All venues: Played: 157, Australia won 45, lost 107, drawn 5
In Australia: Australia won 27, lost 54, drawn 42009
New Zealand 22-16, Auckland2008
Australia 34-19, Sydney
New Zealand 39-10, Auckland
New Zealand 28-24, Brisbane
New Zealand 19-14, Hong Kong
Biggest Australian win (margin) at all venues: 21 (28-7) Sydney, 1999
Heaviest Australian defeat (margin) at all venues: 37 (43-6) Wellington, 1996
Biggest Australian winning score at all venues: 34 (34-19) Sydney, 2008
Most points conceded by Australia at all venues at all venues: 50 (50-21) Sydney 2003
Most Tests by an Australian against New Zealand: 29 – David Campese, 27 George Gregan, 23 Tim Horan, 22 Stephen Larkham, 22 Phil Kearns, 21 George Smith
Most points in a Test by an Australian against New Zealand: 24 – Matt Burke, Brisbane, 1996
Most points in a Test by a New Zealander against Australia: 29 – Andrew Mehrtens, Auckland, 1999
Most tries in a Test by an Australian against new Zealand: 4 – Greg Cornelson, Auckland, 1978
Most tries in a Test by an New Zealander against Australia: 3 – by five players
Leading Australian pointscorers against New Zealand: 176 Matt Burke, 133 Michael Lynagh, 84 Stirling Mortlock, 72 Matt Giteau
Leading Australian tryscorers against New Zealand: 8 David Campese, 7 Matt Burke, 5 Tim Horan, 5 Stirling Mortlock, 5 Lote TuqiriTEAMS
Australia: James O’Connor, Lachie Turner, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Berrick Barnes, Drew Mitchell, Matt Giteau, Luke Burgess, Richard Brown, George Smith (capt), Rocky Elsom, Nathan Sharpe, James Horwill, Al Baxter, Stephen Moore, Benn Robinson. Res: Tatafu Polota-Nau, Ben Alexander, Dean Mumm, David Pocock, Will Genia, Ryan Cross, Peter Hynes.New Zealand: Mils Muliaina, Joe Rokocoko, Conrad Smith, Luke McAlister, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Daniel Carter, Jimmy Cowan, Kieran Read, Richie McCaw (capt), Jerome Kaino, Isaac Ross, Brad Thorn, Owen Franks, Andrew Hore, Tony Woodcock. Res: Aled de Malmanche, John Afoa, Jason Eaton, Rodney So’oialo, Brendon Leonard, Stephen Donald, Ma’a Nonu.
Kick-off: 8pm (AEST)
TAB Sportsbet: Australia $1.90, NZ $1.90
Referee: Jonathan Kaplan (RSA)
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.