Watching Saturday’s game between the All Blacks and England, what struck me was the number of times England were offside.
It appeared to be a tactic to upset the opposition.
Offside is covered under section ten of the laws of the game. The principle is the game is only played by players who are onside. Yet those players who are slowly moving back to an onside position can interfere with the team using the ball and intercept a pass while offside.
This happened a number of times on Saturday night. There is nothing more frustrating than players deliberately going slow so as to gain an advantage.
Clearly this tactic is being exploited by a number of teams in this World Cup. The governing body should change the law immediately.
(Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
If you are in an offside position, you should never be allowed to interfere with the play. It is such an easy law to change and would give the team in possession the ability to play the ball without interference from an offside player.
I wonder how many players would be slowly returning to an onside position then?
The other glaring tactic that has been employed by a number of teams is what a number of commentators call fast line speed.
This tactic has seen players rush at the attacking team to upset their patterns of play. Most of the time these players are offside and instead of retiring back to an onside position, they are allowed to continue moving forward.
This is covered in section 10.1.c: Preventing the opposition from playing as they wish. No team can play as they wish if the opposition is allowed to attack from an offside position.
Surely given the senior assistant referees at this World Cup, the offside position should be policed.
Yes, it might slow the game down at first – but when players realise that it is going to be policed, they will stop gaining that advantage.
The team in possession will be able to play the game ensuring a more exciting and fairer brand of rugby.
3dogdave
Guest
Three of the the last 4 tries scored by England against New Zealand have on review been overturned. If a score had not occurred you can pretty much bet play would have continued as if no infringement had taken place. Thats a 75% rate of offside & obstruction going unchecked by referees. Hey I know that figures probably an exaggeration...but its clear these Northern sides with their rush defence are getting away with more offside penalties than I've ever seen in the game.
Phantom
Roar Rookie
The standard of officiating in the RWC has been well below the standard of play. Last nights game with nz and wales was a case in point. Owens was conned by england Barnes was looking for any reason to penalise and the poor use of the advantage laws needs work. Garces will get in the way tonight which to me shows a poor feel for the game. IMHO Gardiner is the only ref who has enhanced his reputation at this cup.
Paul
Guest
Does that mean that every player in front of the ball in a maul is offside? Surely the mail situation needs to be looked at! And does any half back feed the ball fairly into a scrum?
Kev
Guest
But it is broken
Harry Charound
Guest
At last you notice when your team is on the losing side. Watch every bledisloe match. See the ABs master the offside behaviour and consistently get away with it. They don't choke at RWC games - they simply are subject to less adulation from referees due to a global scrutiny.
Roy
Guest
It is..... but if it is open play and no tackle, tuck or maul you can be wherever you like but once one of the above occurs you are offside and can take no part in the game until you are put back inside
Roy
Guest
Ok it is already against the laws of the game to interfere with play in an offside position as you are offside so no need for a law change, but if the ref feels it has had no material effect he will let play go one. I agree the offside line is not being policed as it should and I have not seen a pro side be onside at rucks for many years and that goes for Eng & the AB’s not just England. Being strict on this would give attacking teams space to attack.
noosa_pistol_pete@hotmail.com
Guest
AB’s been getting away with it for years????????
soapit
Roar Guru
Actually, thinking now that making it when the ball leaves the half's hand might be the perfect compromise. (Or takes a step) Shows what some good group think can achieve
piru
Roar Rookie
Yep that's what the ref would be looking for
piru
Roar Rookie
My dad's golden oldies side had an American expat who could hit the centres from throwing a lineout. Jeez it was funny to watch. They shouldn't really need to take any steps if they get their feet set before taking it out of the ruck - nothing wrong with innovation
soapit
Roar Guru
Usually they at least delay the pass which is a win for the defence
soapit
Roar Guru
How many steps would be need to take? Still has to go backwards as well. Maybe it should only be one step with the ball. Anyway another that’s be interesting to see in practice (and find out the holes in my logic). Would make it easier for the refs at least
Adsa
Roar Rookie
If the boys get a win on Saturday it's happy days. All the best.
piru
Roar Rookie
Is there really an offsides issue with the rush defence? Or are teams taking too long to get the ball out and paying the price? Gotta say the Japanese, who fire the ball out quickly and accurately, didn't seem to have any issues.
piru
Roar Rookie
To aid clarity of when they can move up from onside my suggestion a few years ago was they couldn’t come up until the ball was caught by 1st revert If that's the case and I'm the All Blacks, I'm bringing in Aaron Rodgers to teach my 9s how to throw a ball to the sideline from midfield, with the defenders frozen at the OSL!
piru
Roar Rookie
They don’t in any way interfere with the next phase of play but can still be penalised. If the don't interfere in any way they shouldn't be, however if the ref judges that simply by being there they had an impact on play (ie forced a different option) they will be.
piru
Roar Rookie
Similarly, attackers should be forced to roll away at rucks, they’re on the ground and out of play, but preventing the defenders from playing the ball, try that as a defender. My second year refereeing was the year the ELVs were trialled and this was one of the directives, that as we were being strict on defenders releasing and rolling, so too must the attacking players be policed. Of course they also made a big song and dance about straight scrum feeds, that lasted about 1 game.
piru
Roar Rookie
But they do it all the time and are rarely penalized I'm sorry I just don't agree with this premise - I've never seen a lazy runner in an offside position play at the ball and not be penalised.
Eamon Holden
Guest
It is ruining rugby, stifling open play, it has been a particular problem at this World Cup and World rugby must do something about it if they want a more exciting free flowing game.It is very difficult to play open rugby when the defending team are already offside before the ball leaves the back of the ruck.The assistant referees must be told to flag it as it often takes place behind the referees back, however with the pace of the modern game I think it’s time to have open side and blindside referees on the pitch.