Three rounds into the Super 14 and the new rules intepretations are working for me. The teams are running, players look like they are enjoying themselves, and the whole thing seems a lot more pleasurable. However, I am starting to get irritated.
Like a mosquito in your room at night, there is a buzzing in the background that I just can’t get out of my mind. It’s the fact that the attacking team seem to do whatever they want at the breakdown and get away with it.
I watch as players exaggerate the the release of tackled players to try and ensure they are not pinged.
At the same time, three attacking players dive at the feet of the defense and completely seal off the ball with impunity. If you are not allowed to ruck anymore, how is a defending team supposed to get the opportunity to contest possession with this going on?
If we are going to apply ‘letter of the law’ accuracy to one side at the breakdown, surely we must apply it to both sides.
To my mind, this will encourage both sides to commit numbers to the ruck and give more room for ball runners. The ball will not be slowed down illegally, nor sped up illegally.
So everybody wins.
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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