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.
Boz
Guest
Pretty simple really - it all started once the defending team had to go back 10 metres instead of 5. This rule change, more than any other in recent memory - has altered the way Rugby League is now played. In the early 90's, teams were learning to play with this rule, and hadn't yet evolved their game plans to try and use the new rule to their advantage. The 10 metre rule was introduced to create more room for the team with the football, and to encourage more attacking play. What happened though was that the attacking team that received a quick play the ball was confronted with a forever retreating line of defence, and quite naturally - would take the easiest option available - which was often a run from dummy half - or a quick one off pass from the ruck. Hardly exciting attacking football. Coaches soon realised that for their defensive structure to become more effective - their players needed more time. Hence the increasing importance of slowing down the play the ball, and how the speed of the ruck became all important. Wrestling coaches were introduced - and indeed the ideal way of tackling - which was around the legs - has altered to make sure the most time is taken from when the player is grabbed until they are allowed to play the ball. Often by having two or three players hold the attacker up. So - if you want to rid the game of the garbage at the play the ball - the 10 metre rule would have to go. However, you would also have to change the interchange system to stop the players of today - who are fitter and stronger - from being able to smother the attack. I would allow two or three interchanges for the entire match - to bring the game back to more a battle of endurance than sheer power.
oikee
Guest
I was watching the Sharkies game, and the refs refused to penalise the slow ruck play. At least the game flowed along nicely. Sometimes it drives you crazy when they penalise at the ruck for a minor infringement, when all game it has been let go. Penalise obvious infringements, but not for every little effort. The game needs to find a balance, something the refs are all over the place with. Harragon needs to sit all the refs down and get them to gel.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Agreed. I'm not sure when all this started but when you watch games from the 90's (Chooseday night footy) you notice straight away that there's none of this garbage in the ruck. There's also none of the penalty-pulling antics that exist today (eg attacking player gets to his knees, defender brushes him, attacker hurls himself face first into the turf, extends arms, pleads with ref). We talk about how fast the game is now but the ruck has definitely slowed the game down considerably at some stage over the past 10 years.