Is the game itself to blame?

[vasysm]

Interesting article on ESPNScrum on how the laws of rugby union are too complex for a professional game.

At one point the author seems to suggest that the way to League rules is pretty much unavoidable.

 

[RoosTah]

Interesting article on ESPNScrum on how the laws of rugby union are too complex for a professional game.

At one point the author seems to suggest that the way to League rules is pretty much unavoidable.

I have to say I found this article pretty funny as a big NRL fan, especially considering the headline in the Sydney Morning Herald the day after this match was See that, rugby league? Rugby can stuff it up, too

 

[Fard]

Interesting article on ESPNScrum on how the laws of rugby union are too complex for a professional game.

At one point the author seems to suggest that the way to League rules is pretty much unavoidable.

If scrums become like mini-league then I would not watch Rugby again.

 

[vasysm]

If scrums become like mini-league then I would not watch Rugby again.

Surely they are headed that way, with crooked feeds becoming the norm. I like how they were scrummaging in the 80s, on the spot, quickly, without so much posturing and trying to psyche the opposition.

League used to have contested scrums, with the same problems as the union ones, until they decided it's not worth the hassle for a moment which, in terms of the law itself, is merely a restart of play.

 

[AzaMatt]

if they take away the scrum or breakdown then essentially we have rugby league, so what are they proposing? that union be scrapped all together? no thanks. id rather have it as it is

 

[vasysm]

They argue that in the pro era the union game becomes way too difficult to be refereed objectively. Since the pro turn, many coaches and players came from a league background and the rule set, especially in the ruck area, turned the game into a hybrid slowly crawling towards league.

So maybe union should dial the time back and maintain its identiity by having a good look at itself. The "contest the ball at all times" principle is weakening with each passing day and law change.

 

[Sweats]

I always hear a lot of talk coming from BT Sport (Mainly Healy) over rule changes to Scrums etc to get the ball out on a more regular basis. I disagree to some extent but it would be interesting to perhaps see a majority of scrum infringents changed from Penaltys to Free Kicks, which should at the minimum discourage teams from constantly scrumaging simply to get the Penalty. Can still keep the Penalty for consistant poor scrumaging, but may be tough to get the change right.

 

[AzaMatt]

I always hear a lot of talk coming from BT Sport (Mainly Healy) over rule changes to Scrums etc to get the ball out on a more regular basis. I disagree to some extent but it would be interesting to perhaps see a majority of scrum infringents changed from Penaltys to Free Kicks, which should at the minimum discourage teams from constantly scrumaging simply to get the Penalty. Can still keep the Penalty for consistant poor scrumaging, but may be tough to get the change right.

that could certainly be the way forward. i also hate it when the ball is fully out the back of the scrum, but it has collapsed, and the ref calls a reset. what is the point, the ball is out, just get on with the game.

 

[TheOvalBall]

Well, it's safe to say World Rugby will have a serious look at the laws, including the use of the TMO in the not too distant future. Looking forward to what they are coming up with next.

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

What about a free for all at rucks; anything bar dangerous play and off side entry goes. That's almost the way it is in many matches and at least that'd take away inconsistency of refereeing.

For scrums, would it help if the scrums were de-powered by only having the 5 tight forwards contest in the scrum? I know the 3-man scrum in 7s is a lot more stable and doesn't slow the game down whilst retaining competition for the ball.

 

[ZeroTwo]

What about a free for all at rucks; anything bar dangerous play and off side entry goes. That's almost the way it is in many matches and at least that'd take away inconsistency of refereeing.

For scrums, would it help if the scrums were de-powered by only having the 5 tight forwards contest in the scrum? I know the 3-man scrum in 7s is a lot more stable and doesn't slow the game down whilst retaining competition for the ball.

If old school rucking the player was allowed now, I'd hate to face up against Eben Etzebeth. I'm 99% sure bits of my spine would be showing after the first breakdown.

 

[vasysm]

If you make a scrum of 5 people, that would be another massive step towards league, because it negates the need for at least 2 forwards. It would only make for a more trench-war scenario in the following phases.

If you don't want to return to feet in the ruck, the better option would be allowing hands in the ruck and banning the push and shove between players who don't address the ball.

 

[WaterboySA]

What about a free for all at rucks; anything bar dangerous play and off side entry goes. That's almost the way it is in many matches and at least that'd take away inconsistency of refereeing.

What do you see as dangerous play?I would love the rucks to become rucks again....making boots work on the guy's back??Will teach all players to roll away...Bakkies will come out of retirement.

 

[TheOvalBall]

I'm still irritated by the fact that lifting in the line-out is legal. Locks are supposed to jump.

 

[psychic duck]

What about a free for all at rucks; anything bar dangerous play and off side entry goes. That's almost the way it is in many matches and at least that'd take away inconsistency of refereeing.

For scrums, would it help if the scrums were de-powered by only having the 5 tight forwards contest in the scrum? I know the 3-man scrum in 7s is a lot more stable and doesn't slow the game down whilst retaining competition for the ball.

Ghastly ideas. It would be absolutely impossible to get quick ball and hard to get the ball out all with players allowed to pile on it at rucks.

 

[nickdnz]

I'm still irritated by the fact that lifting in the line-out is legal. Locks are supposed to jump.

Easy grandad, have a werther's original.

 

[valley commando]

Easy grandad, have a werther's original.

From some of the whinging posts blaming refs for results etc, I would say the biggest thing wrong with rugby are certain sections of supporters, of the more recent rule changes the only one I'm not happy with is the scrum engagement I was far happier with it 2 years back than under current rules.

 

[ncurd]

You preferred Crouch, Touch, Engage, Collapse, Reset? I know collapse's are becoming more of nuisance again but it's a lot easier to tell who's playing silly buggers now and penalty are given correctly more often...

 

[valley commando]

You preferred Crouch, Touch, Engage, Collapse, Reset? I know collapse's are becoming more of nuisance again but it's a lot easier to tell who's playing silly buggers now and penalty are given correctly more often...

I'm not so sure, there are already players perfecting how to cheat with these laws, Cole has it mastered as does one of the Scottish props, there are others as well.

 

[j'nuh]

The same Cole that has looked pants in the scrum for the last year?

The scrum is a funny one. It has quietly changed its nature over time, and fans have started to accept the newer style of scrummaging as part of the identity of the game. Ideally we would depower the scrum a lot more so that it goes back to being a way to restart the game, rather than a penalty-winner.

For me, the way to do it is to downgrade most scrummaging offences to free kicks. Keep intentional spoiling as a penalty perhaps, as I can see teams trying to spoil the scrum to stop a backline move off the scrum, as that would be harder to defend than the ensuing free kick. But dropping binds, binding wrongly, hinging etc, should all become free kicks.