I am sick of trying to explain to my NRL, AFL, and lapsed rugby union mates that the laws of NRL and AFL are framed by Australians who change their laws if such changes will improve their games as spectacles.
Whereas the laws of rugby union are framed by the Poms and others north of the equator, who see little need for changes while the existing laws suit their often boring styles of play, and while they can still fill Twickenham with styles of rugby that are often unacceptable to the Australian and Kiwi public.
I can recall watching the Springboks play the Wallabies at the Brisbane Ekka grounds back in the 1960s. The Boks had enormous lineout forwards, and under the international laws back then, they could kick the ball out on the full from any part of the ground, and more often than not win the subsequent lineouts.
Back then, in the ’60s, Australia was able to get a dispensation that allowed the ball to be kicked out on the full only from behind the 25-yard line. Thankfully the IRB later adopted that modification to the rule internationally.
(Photo by Richard Heathcote – World Rugby via Getty Images)
Currently I notice in the Six Nations that a red card awarded in the first minute of a game, or very early in a game, often ruins the game for both the red-carded player’s innocent teammates and for spectators by causing the penalised player’s team to play one man short for the remaining 79 minutes.
I just hope that before the Poms arrive here in July that World Rugby will have adopted the Super Rugby law whereby a red-carded player can be replaced by another player after 20 minutes or at least allow such a modification for the July Tests.
Any deliberate thuggery can later be dealt with severely by the judiciary, which might even include a life ban if serious enough.
As a high-school coach in decades past, I can recall stressing on the forwards that all eight of them should be able to be covered with a blanket.
There used to be an enlarged photo in their Crosby Park Clubhouse of eight Brothers forwards charging upfield, ball in hand, with only one opposition forward in that photo.
When the ball is given to the backs, they could mark centre upon centre, or wing upon wing, without defensive forwards cluttering up the back-line attack.
It was much more entertaining rugby, and at the time, Wallabies backs were known for their fabulous attack – even if they lost the forwards battle and/or the Test.
Anti-rugby folk, and most loyal rugby supporters, point to the following as some of problems with the modern game.
(Photo by Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images)
The first problem is off-side defenders, especially out wide, where such defenders are not behind the hindmost foot of the ruck or maul.
Now I am aware that referees (or, as I like to call them, ‘rougherees’) do not have eyes in the back of their head. But recently, touch judges were renamed as assistant referees.
Well, why don’t these assistant referees actually assist the main ref by alerting them to such off-side play that they may have missed?
Whenever I refereed a high school game, when both teams lined up on the halfway, I would tell all 30 of them that if I even thought that a player might be off-side, I would assume that he is off-side and that he would be penalised.
That attitude worked very well with teenagers – I am unsure how adult players might react?
Also, the purists might not agree, but maybe we should experiment with changing ‘behind the hindmost foot’ to, say, ‘five metres behind the hindmost foot’, at least to see if such an experiment provides better attacking play?
Forget about pinching from league.
Another issue is collapsed or reset scrum penalties. While an (often unintentional) crooked throw into the lineout is not allowed, why is a deliberate crooked feed to the scrum – often behind the prop’s feet – allowed?
In years past, such halfbacks were penalised. If the ball had to be fed straight into the scrum, then the hookers would need to strike for the ball – something that they cannot do today, because the front rows are packing too low, and therefore causing scrum collapses.
So make the scrumhalves feed the ball straight to eliminate many of the collapses (and subsequent penalties).
(Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
Can anyone please explain to me why the driving maul, usually from lineouts, does not involve obstruction when the ball carrier has his own team-mates in front of him?
This is a real blight on the game. I would much prefer to see sparkling running tries than to see the boring, mobile wrestling that we so often need to tolerate.
Let’s rid our game altogether of this boring and possibly dangerous play.
Another problem is the the points-scoring system. It is over-debated, but seldom agreed upon.
Have we ever thought what is the most useless, and unwanted, rule in both rugby codes? The answer is the time-wasting conversion.
It is good to see that penalty tries, if justified, are now awarded seven points, without the need to kick the conversion.
How often do we see a team score more team tries than the opposition, but lose on conversions or penalties, which are the contributions of a single player?
So how about something like this, with no conversions. A team try is six points, a try from an often undetected off-side intercept is four points, a penalty goal for foul play (in addition to any card) or for major, or consistent, rule breaches is three points, a penalty goal for lesser breaches is two points, a field goal from beyond the half-way line is three or two points, other field goals are two or one points.
Finally, regarding time wasting, referees should ignore less serious injuries. Assistant refs can enter the field to advise if the injury is serious.
A stop clock to be involved (where available) for forming lineouts and scrums – timed from the whistle or from so many seconds after it, and for referees lecturing players, or when talking to assistant refs or to the TMO.
Trutter
Guest
The game is a just a series of hospital passes and aimless kicking. The athletes are bigger, stronger and faster with each passing year. The pitch is not wide enough to allow the same attacking options we had 50 years ago. Before you stop laughing ask yourself if this is not true for many sports. Basketball players can all cover the court in a few strides and dunk the ball.why hasn’t the court size been increased and the hoop height increased to match. In American football the ball is very rarely passed sideways- lateraled - for fear of failure to make forward momentum but mostly because the speed of the players causes them to run out of space. Ice hockey is another example where athleticism creates congestion side to side. Soccer another but that could easily be dealt with by changing the offside rule. With current laws it is a game played by 21 very athletic players in one half of the field. Making the offside line at 35 yards instead of the halfway line would create a totally different spectacle for the spectators. You have two options in rugby Union: either you reduce the team numbers from 15 to 13 or you increase the width by ten yards. Further: reduce the numbers of players at the ruck, allow only 3 rucks before the ball must be either lateraled or kicked away. I, personally, find no pleasure watching 260 pound warriors charging at each other endlessly for a yard or two of turf. It is a running game not bloody heavyweight wrestling. In addition defending backs should not be allowed to come up to the “gain line” at rucks but would be deemed offside if they are not ten yards behind the ball. Scrums are time consuming, technically confusing, and disrupt the play. They should be done away with and replaced with a ruck. Ie the team that has the “put in” gets the ball - they do anyway- as they would with a penalty with the defending team retreating 10 yards or to the goal line. Alternatively each team could retreat 5 yards. Probably fairer After the first ruck the ball could be used as in any other phase of the game. In my opinion the professional game is bloody boring and has ruined the sport in many ways but we have to accept it and move on. They are paid a lot of money to “ entertain us” and unless they do they are going to find their source of income severely curtailed by the very same people they are supposed to entertain.
Terry1404
Guest
Change the rules to reduce the scrum delays, make penalties worth 1 point, field goals 1 point, stop the penalities for knock downs, make the defending side have minimin number of 3 people that must join a ruck, depenfending side must stand back 10 metres behind the last man's feet in ruck and scrums, and for Gods sake inform referees we don't go to the games to watch referees and the TMO.
BeastieBoy
Roar Rookie
Just Nuisance.. yes it used to have continuity. When I played scrums were set in 30 seconds or you suffered a penalty. The Coaches have wanted ever bigger soldiers and have gamed the system too slow it down for them. Australia is the most competitive Football landscape. it's the Future..for other countries. NZ Rugby have sold off their rights with bugger all going to the grass roots. Australian Rugby will do the same next. The game may be growing in the 2nd tier. Its not Growing in NZ or Australia and in Australia it's going backwards.
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
Did Rugby ever have continuity is my question? Some games do some don’t . My earlier point stands in that out of all the top tier teams the one which faces most opposition from other codes is Australia. If that were the case elsewhere and in fact the opposite is happening namely that rugby is growing at a rate of knots I’ll say fine make Wholesale changes , but we can’t do that just to accommodate Australia .
BeastieBoy
Roar Rookie
Just Nuisance Ok. The main reason we struggle is the game now lacks continuity. it needs massive rule changes to make it enjoyable to watch and play in accordance with Australian Tastes. Indeed it is probably past the point of coming back, but we should go our own way and give it a go. Allow the domestic competition to improve their rules and see how it goes. Rugby League are rumoured to introduce a second team in NZ in the next year or so. That cant help rugby. As someone whose family members have played the game over 120 years, it is sad to see. It is unlikely to change but here's hopeing.
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
Agree all points excepting the first about a 20 min card encouraging foul play . That is a common yet if you think about it cynical viewpoint . 20 min with a player off the field can definitely cost you a game . Then of course there is still a post match suspension looming which may permanently cost you your hard earned place if your replacement performs . Too much risk . . As for targeting the oppositions best player … well who knows early in a match who the best player is going to be . Often these days and the Boks are the best example of this , the best players are on the bench waiting to make a later impact . That argument doesn’t stand up to close scrutiny.
NOTASaffaSpy
Roar Rookie
A few points and meaning no disrespect to the author. 1. The 20 min red card is the most stupid rule suggestion I have seen recently. How long would it be before our friends from NZ start picking boxers to start tests again? (Cheap shot I know ;)) The problem is it would encourage foul play, pick a player to go out and hurt the best player on the other team and then you can replace him after 20 mins while they have been handicapped for 80 mins. 2. Conversions are vital, forcing someone to score out wide should be rewarded with their side having a harder attempt at goal. 3. I have said this before the best thing for rugby in Australia would be winning. Aus beat us last year and the weekend after was a sell out. Less focus on "entertainment" more on winning and people would start watching again. 4. Can we please please stop messing with the rules of the game.
Joe King
Roar Rookie
Rugby is the game we love today because changes have been made to the laws in the past. The suggestions you don’t like are no less than the changes that have been made in the past, either. Again, I say it’s ok to make suggestions and debate them. We don’t have to agree with them. But let’s not shut them down outright. That’s exactly what they did to people in the past, and now look how good rugby is! I’ve also been on the roar for a long time. Winning is a short term Band-Aid. Been there, done that. Consistently competitive is the real solution. Having the *ability* to win is what we should be aiming for.
Grobu
Roar Rookie
Just another aussie layman spouting tired cliches about NH ruby without any real knowledge of the game.
Grobu
Roar Rookie
Why don't you just go watch rugby league and let us real union fans enjoy the game as it is ?
Igor Oligarchov
Guest
Get rid of four players from each side to open it up. Clock stops in stoppages. Four quarters to keep the players fresh and fast. No penalty shots at goal. You have to run it. Only 5 players a side in scrums and the clock stops until it leaves the scrum and lose the formality. It just goes in and get on with it. Get rid of all the high and low tackling, make it the same as Australian football. Nothing above the shoulders and nothing below the waist. Your welcome.
Gary
Guest
No need to be personal here , I'm hiding nowhere my name IS Gary. Your post is confused , you state that you are across the issues here and that Rugby here is in a unique battle for exposure yet you then deny John's suggestion to innovate to try and get some more local exposure. This game of ours have changed in so many ways over the years for goodness sake I was taught how to dribble the ball on foot as a skill when I was young - who is taught that now ? are you aware that the game originally was played in limitless time, basically a barn yard brawl and that conversions were effected by throwing the ball over the posts ? So don't dismiss innovation , don't be scared it's going to happen regardless of any conservative views you may have of " if it ain't broke" etc. You have no clue about the local scene here and I can only speak for the last 50 years of my involvement to say that given all the unique challenges that we face here we do very well and in terms of World Rugby would be considered to be leading the way in innovation because of such challenges so to be ignored would silly as we are cutting edge. Well done John W for voicing this.
John Wagner
Roar Rookie
Please correct me if I am wrong, Praetorian, but I THINK that 2 Yellows already means a Red??
John Wagner
Roar Rookie
El Flash, I would still like to see the rolling maul abolished altogether. Your final sentence is so true!
John Wagner
Roar Rookie
As you say, Gatesy, "Who Knows"?! But unless the game is improved as a spectacle, more fans will abandon Rugby, thus depriving RA of the funds necessary to make our national teams more competitive, and to support the grassroots.
gatesy
Roar Guru
The only aspect of the game that I would immediately change is the rolling maul. Keep it by all means but have a rule that the opposition can bring it down without being penalised. Have it so that the lineout thrower can't join the maul. How about making a try under the posts an automatic 7 pointer? Only allow 1 scrum reset then a short arm to the next offender, whichever side it is. Have a scrum clock and penalise slow play. Bring back rucking....! Who knows?
John Wagner
Roar Rookie
Aiden, Anything that might improve the game as a spectacle is worth considering. Since crowds are falling, here in Aust., this means fewer $$$$s (through gate takings, sponsorship, TV rights, the media etc) available for Rugby Australia to promote the game here.
John Wagner
Roar Rookie
Worth considering Rocky. (Not sure about the "arms length")
John Wagner
Roar Rookie
Osina. Re the GP tries -- I agree. Here in Oz the local (suburban) games ALSO produce plenty of tries, esp. by the backs. (Unfortunately the bash & barge forwards' tries from 5 metres out are creeping into the game there -- and I was an old forward!). It is a pity that such try-scoring is absent from many Tests and several other major games.
John Wagner
Roar Rookie
Good reply El Flash. I definitely agree about rolling mauls being a blight on the game! (Which can also be dangerous). What has happened to wonderful backline team tries?