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No defence for Brumbies' ploy

Roar Guru
7th June, 2013
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Roar Guru
7th June, 2013
58
1246 Reads

In recent times it seems my assertions and credibility have been attacked. Now I’m all for admitting that I am at times not entirely credible, being somewhat of a stirrer as well as someone who firmly believes that making a decision, even a bad one is usually preferable to making no decision at all.

I was in fact voted Class Clown several years running, the phrase “water off a ducks back” was coined especially to describe my grace under fire.

Just this week, in my home, my assertions that at least half the empty beer cans found of a morning were the result of either a problem-drinking maid or ghosts (perfectly acceptable here), were rejected with a finality that put me well on the back foot.

Luckily my back foot was in a position to quickly and quietly edge an empty bottle of Jacks behind the fridge before it was noticed.

If that wasn’t enough, I have been labeled a ‘Ref bashing Reds crybaby’, or words to that effect, on The Roar!

This for decrying the referees inability or unwillingness to crack down on a developing trend of illegal (cynical if you want to be kind) defence of the line. But let this be clear, this isn’t about the Reds, nor any team in particular. The issue is much bigger than that.

You all know who we are talking about. So, with their league defence coach, the Brumbies and Jake White have cottoned onto the perfect defence.

It’s a tactical innovation of breathtaking proportions and relies on a single fact: that the referees will not punish illegal defence in the 22 in proportion to its damage.

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And so when forced to defend their line the Brumbies will deliberately and continually infringe without fear.

This is not the desperate or brain fade act of a single player, but a team-based tactic. Jake White is, in effect, coaching them to infringe, and in doing so moves the offence into the realm of organised professional foul play.

It’s akin to playing against a team of Sir Ritchies, the only difference being that the Dark Knight made an art out of playing to weaknesses in the law, rather than weaknesses in the referee.

Law 10 Foul Play is defined as anything a player does that is against the letters and spirit of the laws of the game. It includes obstruction, unfair play, repeated infringements, dangerous play and misconduct.

If foul play by a player or a team prevents a try then a penalty try must be awarded and the offending player sent off.

The call of advantage when the Brumbies defend is near continuous.

In this case, the Law is unequivocal. The fouls are deliberate and continual, either from individuals or the team, and the fouls have prevented tries being scored. Yet referees will only rarely card and will not award a penalty try.

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The result is ugly rugby and a match where the only chance of scoring is a line break.

People will say ‘Play the ref’, or ‘Take your points’. This is shallow thinking and is in effect criticism of the team that is trying to do what we all want; scoring tries.

Both sayings might have been apt in years gone by when Mr Rodgers the third form maths teacher was the ref, but they don’t apply now. The referees are paid professionals and should do their job to the standard required for Test level rugby and ensure a fairly and consistently adjudicated game.

What is a fair response? It’s obvious that continually calling advantage when you haven’t moved the ball closer to the line is no advantage at all.

A penalty, taking the points? When you have been illegally denied a seven pointer, three points and the possibility of having the ball back on your 22 is poor reward.

A card? Nice as the idea sounds, a better chance at scoring for 10 minutes is again, a poor substitute for a certain seven you’re just done all the hard work for. Particularly if you are fighting from behind on the scoreboard.

A penalty try and card? The WMD of the referee arsenal, a game changer. And that is probably why refs are loath to award one.

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The greatest danger in doing nothing is that, as new season rolls on, other Super Rugby sides will see the inherent advantage this defence gives and will do likewise.

It is already spreading. Ask yourself, will you be happy with the spectacle when all Super Rugby matches are played with this tactic?

Within the current rules the referees need to be hard, it would be better if they could just award the try? It’s simple: if you can’t defend your line legally, you cede the try the other side would have scored but for your foul play.

But with the laws as they are, if a little pain is required to get coaches to toe the line then perhaps that is what we need to have.

A few early penalty tries will get the message across.

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