The constabulary arrive and put the assailant to the ground. Not content with felling their target, they force him back into an awkward position; the victim convulses and writhes spasmodically on the ground trying to break free of their grip.
Always running a fine line between breaking the law and gaining an advantage, the aggressors gain valuable time, all the while, they plan to repeat the process about 150 times in 80 minutes.
In what could conceivably be a scene from ‘The Bill’, ‘Blue Heelers’ or a night on the tiles at Sapphire Suite, is in fact the farce, which has become ‘the wrestle’ in league.
With the now-standard, Al Pacino “Game of Inches” pep talk still ringing in their ears, rugby league teams now seek to dominate the micro area of the ruck, in what really is a separate encounter within a footy match.
Whilst it is pleasing to the coaching team and players, it is quickly drawing away from the spectacle of watching the game.
Rucks take longer (resulting in less actual game time); defensive structures are more able to be set up in formation and restrict attack and, worst of all, journalists all over the country are in marketing meetings, brainstorming about potential nicknames for the new type of ruck domination technique, be it chicken wing, prowler, crusher or cannonball.
The game’s pinnacle of State of Origin was the perfect example of this – with the ‘showpiece’ traditionally given extra latitude in regards to penalising offenses, the ruck descended into a game of haystacks that would make the year six class at Lake Albert Public School proud.
In what is no doubt supposed to be an initiative to reduce penalties and increase the time of ball in play, it has backfired and allowed players to slow down the ruck speed incredibly.
If Paul Gallen looked upset on the turf on Wednesday, you could imagine what the collective groans and screams of New South Welshmen would have amounted to across the state.
What is the possible solution to this? One response would be to legislate in the ruck, however this reflex reaction can result in over-regulation which further complicates the game.
Giving referees another aspect of the tackle to police will result in greater inconsistencies and errors.
Whatever the solution is, it needs be attended to in order to ensure that the wrestle in the ruck doesn’t become the focal point of the game.
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