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The Rugby World Cup is heading for a repeat of 2007. The main thing coming out of the tournament this weekend was the obvious return to the 2007 style of play.
The Springboks coach Peter de Villiers has stated that defence wins the cup. Obviously, both the Irish and Welsh coaches feel the same.
Once more, we have games won by the boot and not by ball in hand. Once more, we have players slowing the ball coming out of rucks and mauls, to give time to the defence to get settled.
All of this was pronounced as the cause of the most boring cup in history, in 2007. Now I can see it coming to haunt us again this year.
The Wallabies attempt to play attacking football. Perhaps, the All Blacks, England and France do likewise.
Everyone else wants to slow the game down with solid defence.
Why did the referees penalise players slowing the ball down in the Super Rugby and the Tri Nations’ Tests when the same referees now allow it to be slowed down in the Rugby World Cup as it was in 2007?
I think, we should be expecting more games like the one between Australia and Ireland during the quarter-finals, semi-finals and probably even the final. Then we can call this the cup that lost its way!
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.