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Let me preface this article by saying upfront that rugby isn’t my number one football code and I had very little exposure to the sport when I was growing up.
However, I’ve been living in Sydney for sixteen years now and I’ve developed an appreciation for both League and Union. I follow the fortunes of the Waratahs and Wallabies, I go to live matches occasionally, and watch them if they’re not clashing with my main team.
Like many other spectators, I’m regularly disappointed with the spectacle of the matches I’ve watched. Nearly all of my friends who’ve been brought up on the game deride boring “kick fests” and want to see more “running rugby”.
What my friends want to see is the ball moving more quickly from one end of the field to the other with pass and carry plays.
I’m not as unhappy as they are if the contest is close, and I appreciate a well executed drop goal more than a try scored by a 5 minute scrum press, but if the Rugby heartland is complaining so loudly, then there must be a problem.
Most of my friends blame the attacking team for not showing adventure and flair when they have the ball, but I believe the real issue is the quality of the opposition defence.
Specialist defensive coaches at the top level of the game spend a lot of time and effort analysing opposition offensive patterns and setting strategies and structures in place to cut down time and space. Everyone in the defence knows where they are supposed to be and what they have to do to achieve this.
And they’ve just become too efficient at this aspect of the game.
Over time defence has shown a much better ability to adapt and shut down the offence after a rule change (eg. the ELVs) than the ability of the offence to continue to capitalise and score freely. So I’m not sure similar rule changes are the answer.
So what to do about it if want to see more running rugby?
What about we give each team a five minute “power play” each half? During your power play the opposition has to play with one less man on the field (their choice who sits out).
Currently the game really opens up when a player is sin binned and these periods usually have lots of attacking flair while the team with the full compliment attempts to capitalise on the situation.
Imagine the intrigue amongst spectators speculating when the coach is going to call a power play. Does he wait till his side has some momentum or until he thinks the opposition has a run on? Early in the half when fresh or late in the half when the opposition is tired?
Maybe a power play in conjunction with some substitutions? In conjunction with a send off or immediately after the send off period ends?
No major changes necessary to the way the game is adjudicated by the referee either.
Do any rugby fans buy it?
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.