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I was so discouraged and frustrated with the Blues vs Lions game on Saturday night that I changed channels and watched Mrs Doubtfire.
If current trends continue then this World Cup will be a huge disappointment to all of those who follow the game.
Interest in rugby will dwindle worldwide in the not too distant future if remedial action is not taken.
We often hear people say the laws are so complex and need to be simplified. All Black coach Steve Hansen said last year that the law book needed to be ripped up and re-written. He didn’t offer any ideas for improvement however.
The laws of rugby are in general fine, but there are a few areas that need adjustment. The main issue as I see it is that the referees have possibly forgotten about the law book and are allowing a free for all.
Rugby needs laws. Without laws you don’t have a game. Some people say that there are laws that are unnecessary, but I invite anyone to identify any laws that can be omitted and we can have a discussion on them.
However, adjustments can be made.
Entering the tackle area
This should not be confused with a ruck. The following only applies to the tackle area. No ruck has formed yet and thus there is no offside line.
Presently players on their feet may play the ball if they do so from behind the ball and from directly behind the tackled player or the tackler closest to their goal-line.
The tackler is allowed to play the ball from any direction as long as he is on his feet.
To simplify this, firstly I would remove the provision that allows the tackler who has gone to ground to play the ball from any direction. This would mean that he is no different from any other player.
I also propose that any player can enter the tackle area as long as they come from behind the tackled player. I would remove the requirement that he be behind the ball and directly behind the tackler. This effectively removes what the referees call “entering through the gate”.
This would be easier to referee, and would encourage defenders to go to the tackle area more often and in greater numbers simply because they would see a greater chance of securing possession.
The attacking team would have to send more players to the tackle to secure possession as they would be under greater threat of losing it.
There are a couple of other points that I would enforce in regard to the tackle. I’m sure that these points are covered by existing law but are simply ignored or not enforced to any significant degree.
The first is that players must be on their feet. If the game is to return to anything like it has been in the past then players must be endeavouring to stay on their feet.
Another point is that the tackler, in going to ground, is often blown off the tackle by attacking players charging into him with their shoulders before that player has even had the chance to roll away.
This is dangerous play and the attacking players are deliberately going off their feet.
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.