No one can argue that Rugby Union in Australia is experiencing many problems relating to laws, scoring systems, players, commentators and competitions.
Just some thoughts of mine:
Laws
The hardest area for change and, looking at others posts, full of contradictions.
Let’s face the facts – Rugby is meant to be a game of continual competition for possession (unlike League). This fact is one of the distinguishing aspects of Rugby but it also creates many of the grey areas.
There have been arguments that there are too many laws and they need to be simplified. It is a valid point but the game is not, and never will be soccer, so the rules can never be written on a single piece of paper.
Complex rules do not hurt League or gridiron.
1999 was not the golden era for the game despite the fact the Wallabies were winning and we had the most fans. Rucks were almost guaranteed recycling for attack which led to trenchline defence which resulted in less line breaks. I feel a lot of the problems we have now stem from this era.
Recently we have seen the re-emergence of the counter-ruck (which absorbs players, equals more gaps, equals good thing). But, unfortunately, this has led to less attack (fear of losing in rucks, equals kick ahead and play territory).
I am internally divided over the free kick ELV as I can see both sides of the debate. But I find it interesting that the pass back into the 22 law went through fine despite the large impact that has had.
Sure it’s a stoppage, but it’s less time than a scrum and less boring than a kicking duel.
Anyway, I am ranting. Rucks should be policed in the following way.
First, the tackler must roll away for a quick ball. If he is still there when the attacking ruckers arrive, advantage attackers. This is an absolute must if we can’t have rucking back. Refs seem to be less stringent on this now.
Other than that a consistent approach to going off your feet is needed, ie what is allowed and what isn’t.
Scoring
To me the penalty goal is way too important. The purpose must be to win by primarily the greatest number of tries. I understand the need for a deterrent but, let’s face it, some penalties can really go 50-50 and sometimes refs just get it plain wrong.
I propose a scoring scheme that I feel will have the best affect, most of it having been suggested before.
Field goals and penalty goals outside 22 are worth 2 points. Some go on about FGs being 1 point, but I favour minimal change and serve the purpose of being a valid scoring option in close games. So FGs, PGs and conversions all worth 2 points, which I think sounds rather consistent.
Red zone penalties, which are given in the opposing 22, are worth 3 points, maybe 4. A penalty in soccer can only be taken when it is in the box so why do we in Rugby feel that we need to have the whole field the same? A penalty in the 22 is often cynical and is a lot different to a penalty around the halfway line.
I am also a fan of yellow cards for this cynical play.
Stay tuned for Part II.
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.
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