Well, now that the curtains have been brought down on the 2015 Rugby World Cup and many of the fair-weather fans have left us, here is an article for the purists.
Most would agree in rugby terms this Rugby World Cup was the best edition yet.
Professionalism is clearly the reason. As a sport it has been necessary to ensure a more entertaining (for want of a better word) ‘product’, and this has resulted in some excellent rule changes – not kicking out on the full after taking it back into the 22 springs to mind.
However, I have a video (yes, a VHS tape) of International 202 tries of the ’70s and ’80s, which I watch every now and again and it never fails to entertain.
There is so much to like about rugby in the past and while there have been many useful changes to speed the game up and allow for more playing time, there are times when I get nostalgic about how things used to be.
I’m sure the older Roarers could add to the list, but here a few things that just don’t happen in international rugby anymore.
(Disclaimer: some of the items listed can still be found at local amateur rugby clubs.)
The reserves, were exactly that – reserves!
A team may have had players warming the pine, but they were only there in case of a genuine injury. In fact, players would often argue if a coach told him he was being replaced.
In short, everyone in the starting side played 80 minutes.
Cards
There were none. However, if you did something extreme, such as ruck someone’s head, you were sent from the field. No card was needed, the ref just pointed to you, then to the change rooms, and said “Off!”
Post-try celebrations only happened post-game
A pat on the back before marching back to halfway was as flamboyant as it got. High-fives, breakdance moves and somersaults back then were career-ending, regardless of how good the player was.
Beer guts
That’s right, international front rowers weren’t the muscle-bound athletes of today, they were fat!
Completely disorganised defences
This aspect of the game was seldom analysed by teams, and the result of the chaos was spectacular running rugby.
The toe bash and sand
Kicking tees weren’t used, if they in fact existed. The ball boy ran out with a bucket of sand and that was the kicker’s only assistance. The ’round the corner’ style was seen as innovative. Correct me if I’m wrong, league player Ross Conlon was the first to use this technique?
No lifting in the lineout
The changes of this law has made the lineout much more organised and a better contest, but there was something enjoyable about watching the forwards launch from their own two feet. If there was no clean catch, the watching every other forward jump up with flailing arms in an attempt to hack the ball was gold.
Another gem from ancient lineout was the overarm throw, sometimes even taken by the winger.
Fast scrums
Some Gen Y followers probably won’t believe me, but the scrum used to be orchestrated by the 16 players without referee interference and was over within 30 seconds. While it still appeared to be a melee of sorts, at least it didn’t waste five minutes of playing time.
The scrumhalf generally fed the ball straight, and there was a genuine hooking contest between the hookers to the point where he had his feet stretched under the opposing second row’s feet.
Also, when the referee was on the other side the scrum, there was a good opportunity to sort out any players who needed it with a quick jab or sometimes a haymaker. I won’t name names, but regardless of the nation, there was always a player in the pack who was self-appointed to this role.
Halftime
No more than five minutes and the players must remain on the field, simple. I know TV interests wouldn’t have this today, but there used to be an element of
‘let’s get on with it’.
While talking about halftime – oranges!
Rucking
Bring back rucking – enough said.
Muddy pitches
Applies mostly to northern hemisphere rugby, when a few inches of rain reduced the field to dark quagmire. After 80 minutes you couldn’t see the number on any of the players’ backs through the cakes of mud (with the exception of the backs of course).
While on the topic of jerseys, they were clean of advertising and all made of cotton, none of this skin-hugging lycra business.
Sideburns
I know some players are sporting some crazy hairstyles these days, but they just don’t compare to the genuine ‘lamb chop’ sideburns and porn-star ‘taches of the past.
Look at the Welsh players of the ’70s and you realise these guys aren’t doing it for a Movember charity, they actually chose to look this way. JPR Williams, Gareth Edwards and Steve Fenwick to name a few.
Bill McLaren
I miss his flawless commentary.
Rugby is better for the many changes that have taken place, and the inevitable move to professionalism was always going to change the game, but it is okay to reminisce once in a while.
From here on I’ll leave it to Spiro, David Lord and Sheek to remind us how good things used to be.
RobC
Roar Guru
Gday Shop. Excellent article, thanks for that. Hope to see more Mendoza articles. Good luck for next year's comp, though I believe the ARG SR team wont need too much of that.
Shop
Roar Guru
Thanks Mick, I used to love playing on a soaked ground also. When it rained foe days on end a dozen or so mates used to go to Kenneth Oval in Longueville and play bare feet for hours. Started with touch and invariably went to tackle. Unfortunately as you say, a bit of drizzle these days and the council shuts everything down. Regarding the article I probably should have left it a few days as there are still so much going on despite the cup finishing, would have liked to hear from a few more of the old heads of the Roar.
Mick Gold Coast QLD
Roar Guru
Shop
Roar Guru
Not that old? Basta de joder viejo!
Paulo
Roar Rookie
There is a pub in Sao Paulo called the Terceiro Tempo (3rd half), which is where we would come together outside of games. Rugby has grown in Brazil, so more rugby related pubs now. We'd buy boots, balls, etc when we went on our yearly Argentina winter tour. I remember going to Hugo Porta's sports store. Huge controversy because he wanted to name it after himself, and there was a discussion (amateur days) on if he was going to benefit from his rugby noteriety and thus no longer be "purely" amateur ?.
Carlos the Argie in the USA
Guest
I grew up watching rugby since 1966. All kickers in Argentina kicked the soccer style, around the corner. And they had to "divot" the ground. It was a pain when it was hard as rock, and terrible when very muddy. No sand allowed (or brought in). We were shocked when NH temas came to tour and they would have the kicker kick the ball with then toe. Ridiculous!
Carlos the Argie in the USA
Guest
I still have kept one pair of those boots. Not that old. This one is an Adidas Flanker model from 1983.
chaz
Guest
That sponge! I remember rolling on the ground in agony because as our scrum went back at a rate of knots my second row shot up my back whilst failing to let go of my shorts, consequently crushing my privates. The referee actually offered me a cold sponge (though not to apply it himself) and I've never got back to my feet so quickly, despite still being barely able to walk. No lasting damage, as my kids will testify.
Shop
Roar Guru
Post match celebration is also a fundamental part of the game to me also. I live in Argentina where it is called the "3rd half" and it is still very much a part of the game. My brother in law plays soccer here and he's told me that opposing teams wouldn't dream of getting together after the match. Let's hope it never becomes like this in rugby. Thanks for your input.
lassitude
Guest
They were watching rugby light.
Shrink
Guest
Well I never.....tis I for sure. Had a site fizzle earlier today where things turned haywire....but yes the same yesterday - today
Machooka
Roar Guru
Are you the same as shrink... or have you just recently (today for that matter) upSized yourself to Shrink ?
Paulo
Roar Rookie
Shop, I was one of those beer-bellied props wearing ankle-high, steel-toed boots and still bear some scars from rucking. When I played (in Brazil), we used to fill busses every year to go down to Argentina (12hr drive) for winter tours, it was a blast! Many of the things you mention bring back fond memories, but I have to admit that I like most of the changes implemented, think it made it a more exciting game. Club-level rugby still retains much of the charm, and guys like me who can't really run find their enjoyment in the lower grades (well, not me specifically, two busted disks, but my brother still plays veterans), playing for the love of the game. But there are a couple you mention that I agree with - the scrums, which we got done in a jiffy, seldom collapsed and allowed for a real contest of the ball. Current scrums are a disgrace (and this comes from a prop). Nowadays they are also very precious about the pitches. I coached kids in England and in Australia. In England, they got precious when it didn't rain for a while and the ground "became too hard" - phoey, some of our pitches were pure beaten earth. Here they get precious when it rains too much - "it will ruin the grass", tired of seeing cancellations because of a little mud. I tell them that if they cancelled rugby in England because of rain, the game wouldn't exist; our Cobham coaches uniform was an impermeable, with hood, and it hardly ever dried. The one thing that concerns me, though, is the post-match, which feels like is dying out (perhaps only from my limited observation). Our post-matches were long, boozy and fun, and the guy you basehd during the game was right there with you drinking. I know there is some post-match in professional games (went to a couple of Harlequins ones, saw one Waratah one from a distance). But in Ausie school rugby, match ends, there is at most a handshake and everyone goes their way (not advocating alcohol, but at least some fun and games). In club rugby the kids are served food, but they eat it amongst themselves rather quietly, no mingling. The club teams I coached, we'd make an effort to get the boys to sit with their opponents, sing some rugby songs (moms, cover your ears), get to know them. I think its an important part of the rugby spirit, which should not be lost - the old generation needs to help preserve it. ps- in England, our club (and most others) toured every year. Up to 12yrs old we went all together to a rugby camp (and the dads had a ball), from 13 onwards each age group toured alone (what goes on tour, stays on tour). Beside touring locally (Bath area, Midlands, a tournament in Belgium), my oldest's team did a two week tour of South Africa (and they did all the fundraising).
Machooka
Roar Guru
Well done Damo... and talking of 'sucked on it' whatta 'bout oranges at halftime from the old ice-cream containor !?
Shrink
Guest
Did enjoy watching the dummy runners etc in the back line, the scissors etc, where two or three runners would all be coming across at various angles towards the ball carrier. But that heavy leather ball, mud, grounds covered with water, snow or fog. No lights so no night matches with kick off at 2.30 for test matches. Being impressed with the boot of Roger Gould. Radio coverage while test matches were abroad, with mid week matches, until huddled around a black and white tv, adjusting the rabbit ears as the signal faded to a snowy screen and then picked up again to our relief. Having four ABs work on the house as tradesmen after a tour due to having time off from their employment (amateur era)
Damo
Guest
One large sponge. One bucket of iced water. On the face, on the back of the neck. All better, on your way son! Disgusting as it may seem we also actually sucked on it.
Pimpernel
Roar Rookie
Shop & Dave_S The man who brought the round the corner style to Australia was John Gray (ex union turned league) playing for the North Sydney Bears, but it was common in Britain.
Ralph
Roar Guru
Scrums AND moustaches.
RT
Guest
I still remember that great commentator in his this accent excusing Cutler for a knock on trying to pick up the ball from his bootlaces 5 metres out with the line open "when your 6'8" tall it's a long way down to terra firma". Gold!
RT
Guest
Steel capped boots are responsible for more ingrown toenails than anything else. I suspect I'm a bit older. Mid 40's now.