Controversial rugby opinions

[Vieux Talonneur]

My thought is this: I want the teams to use advanced analytics but I want them nowhere near a broadcast.

Exactly this.

Use whatever tools you like in training, but in matches I'd prefer that players weren't wired up to GPS or HRMs forcing coaches to use subjective judgement.

 

[pagliaccio_euforico]

You don't want players looking to the coach's box/table every time there is a break in play? This stuff has trickled down to the amateur game.

We need to adopt a tennis like coaching rule. Idk how to enforce it but it's gotten a bit too much.

 

[AlRums]

You don't want players looking to the coach's box/table every time there is a break in play? This stuff has trickled down to the amateur game.

We need to adopt a tennis like coaching rule. Idk how to enforce it but it's gotten a bit too much.

Take it further, ban all Comms devices from Waterboys, not allow any coaching or management staff from posing as Waterboys. Ban signalling by flags, lights whatever (South Africa I'm looking at you)
Also ban all medical and physio staff from any where near the pitch whilst play is ongoing, again SA.

 

[Which Tyler]

My controversial rugby opinion - the standard of officiating is (way) better than it's ever been.
Unfortunately, so is TV coverage, so every mistake can be analysed ad nauseam by pundits, fans and coaches

 

[AlRums]

My controversial rugby opinion - the standard of officiating is (way) better than it's ever been.
Unfortunately, so is TV coverage, so every mistake can be analysed ad nauseam by pundits, fans and coaches

Isn't why the tmo is there, to make sure mistakes are corrected and called.

Mauvaka launched head butt on White immediately springs to mind as one simple example.

 

[Which Tyler]

Isn't why the tmo is there, to make sure mistakes are corrected and called.

Mauvaka launched head butt on White immediately springs to mind as one simple example.

No, because the TMOs are also human and imperfect.
The TMO is there to reduce mistakes by having a 4th set of eyes on things, from a 4th different angle - but still only gets to see most plays once at normal speed unless he specifically asks for something - though it seems to be more and more "unless the broadcaster decides to show a replay of something" - which isn't my understand of what views the TMO is supposed to get, just how it seems to work in the real world.

 

[dirty harry]

Also Prendergast shouldn't be touring with the Lions let alone favourite to start

Shouldn't start for Leinster...

 

[dirty harry]

Ok OK...

Run it straight will overtake rugby's global audience by 2028

 

[Kiwiwomble]

every sport thinks the good old days were better because they only see the highlights of back then. Watch an old game and it's just a series of penalties and scrums. There are some highlights in between but it's not a beautiful game people pretend it is.

i dont agree, i watch a few games from the 90's and it feel like far less penalties and the scrums take about 20 secs to set, they just grab each other and engage, so many dodgy offloads and "forward passes", failed intercepts that just get called as knock ons, groundings given that now days would take 2-3mins of replays and then not be given...in short....just let more stuff go and play ball

 

[pagliaccio_euforico]

the 99 World Cup averaged 26 penalties a game and the 2019 one averaged 16 . . . it's not a subjective thing

 

[Derpus]

Scrums were certainly quicker. I occasionally watch that 01 Bledisloe in front of 105k in Sydney (greatest game of all time, from a biased perspective) and man they pack those fuckers in moments. Less TMO intervention as well.

Agree, though, that the quality of reffing probably has improved across the board.

 

[Kiwiwomble]

Agree, though, that the quality of reffing probably has improved across the board.

if compliance to the laws trumps enjoyment then yes

 

[AlRums]

the 99 World Cup averaged 26 penalties a game and the 2019 one averaged 16 . . . it's not a subjective thing

That could be interpreted as they got away with more.

 

[WCRugger]

Scrums were certainly quicker. I occasionally watch that 01 Bledisloe in front of 105k in Sydney (greatest game of all time, from a biased perspective) and man they pack those fuckers in moments. Less TMO intervention as well.

Agree, though, that the quality of reffing probably has improved across the board.

Has a lot to do with the evolution of the 'hit' element of the scrum. I'd actually like to see it move toward a pre bind 'fold' where you bind and then fold into position before engaging. There's still a hit but it's reduced and more controlled and stable. Good scrums can still dominate but it would be quicker.