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Critics of rugby say that the ‘limited’ space between defence and attack restricts the freestyle talents of players like Kurtley Beale and Quade Cooper. They often point to the defensive 10 metre rule in Rugby League as the key to unleashing the talents of Benji Marshall and Jarryd Hayne.
I love both League and Union, but I admit that these types of discussions lead me to question Union.
Is the defensive line in Union stifling the game and the freestyle talents of the players? I began to think so, but then it occurred to me whilst watching tapes of Larkham, Carter and Cooper, that good attacking players, like this trio, can create space.
Sometimes the attacking winger needs to be 20m behind the advantage line, but these fly halves can work their magic, get the team over the advantage line, and through the gaps.
It’s beautiful to watch.
I have loved watching the Reds and the Tri-Nations this year. The correct Law interpretations at the tackle have made the game exciting. Running Rugby is back.
I’m happy with the game as it is, but laws do evolve and the question does cross my mind after various code debates: how different would rugby be if the defensive line was 5 or 10 meters behind the ruck?
As I see it panning out, defenders not part of the ruck must drop back. Would this mean that the attacking forwards would just punch the ball up continually? Would this in fact reduce the amount of running rugby or would it create more space for players like Cooper and Beale?
So I pass it over to those who understand the intricacies of the Union better than I (please don’t turn this into a code war). How would a 5 or 10m space between the defence and the ruck affect the game, would it be good or bad?
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.