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I often hear the old boys going on about rucking and why it should be re-instated. As someone who played back when rucking was allowed, I can see both sides of the argument.
In New Zealand, the consensus seems to be, among the older generation at least, that rucking was a vital part of the game. I am interested to know if this opinion is shared elsewhere?
Personally, I am in favour of rucking. It would help sort out the mess that is the breakdown. We still call it a ruck, yet rucking is illegal?
I remember being on the bottom of rucks and I can assure you I was very motivated to roll out the way on my own before I received assistance from the oppositions’ sprigs.
The last thing anyone did on purpose was lying on the ball or lying in the way to slow the ball down, as happens all the time now. Rucks seldom became unplayable and hands were kept off from the ball.
When players were allowed to ruck, quick ball was more readily available to teams with skilled forwards.
On the other hand, I also remember taking a shower with stripes of missing skin down my back and chest when I wasn’t able to get clear in time. I remember seeing more then a few players get carried away with their feet.
The difference between a stomp and legal rucking is a fine line which, under the stress and adrenaline fueled excitement of an aggressive game like rugby, was often crossed.
Rucking looks horrific and barbaric to those unfamiliar with rugby. In a sport already seen as quite barbaric to most of the world’s population, rucking was just a bit too brutal for the marketing types to expand rugby’s audience.
But I would like to know if the constant chorus to bring back rucking comes from the older generation everywhere or just here in New Zealand?
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