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In what can only be called a bow to populist demand, the Rugby Football Union and Premier Rugby have agreed to meddle with the laws in the Guinness Premiership.
Concerned that the number of tries per game has dropped by 38 percent this season, the Premier Rugby Chief Executive said: “There was a determination that we couldn’t let things go on as they were.”
Although Rob Andrew has made usual noises about “quality of the game” and “collective responsibility”, the real concern here is viewing numbers and that great blight on the modern game “entertainment”.
As reported on Planet Rugby: “Premier Rugby recognised the urgent need to act to keep their growing fan-based interested. In spite of the quality of rugby being played and England’s troubles at Test level, the Premiership viewing figures and average attendances are both up.”
There we go, in one foul swoop aimed squarely at the ‘new fans’ and TV executives we change the spirit of our game.
Rugby lite is on the way. Eat your heart out, Super 14.
Perhaps this is the ugly side to rugby’s growth, or a recognition that the modern man’s attention span is now less than a chimpanzees?
So how will this be achieved?
Quite simply, by minimising the contest at the breakdown. Clubs and referees have been instructed to create ‘space’ at the breakdown, release the tackled player and roll away immediately. Decoded, we are talking about possession rugby, all rights to the attacking team and no more turnover ball.
What a shame.
Furthermore, all clubs will now be expected to throw the ball around with gay abandon, or face the wrath of the crowd pleasing executive.
In Rob Andrew’s words: “And to the credit of the clubs that message seems to have reached the players and last weekend’s games started to show some of that in action.”
What action I hear you ask? Brutal forward play? Powerful scrummaging? Unstoppable driving mauls?
No, it’s tries, stupid, and lots of them. Saracens scored seven on the weekend against Newcastle, does that not excite you?
Welcome to the new dawn of English rugby.
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.