B
backnforward
Guest
After over 35 years of playing rugby the old bones can't take much more! Now I am finding more time to actually sit and watch the game. However, I seem to grow more frustrated every year. Why? Poor players? Poor refereeing decisions?
Nope, it's more to do with the none-enforcement or relaxing of some of the rules. If we want to see our glorious game improve (as it has done from a player perspective since the coming of professionalism) I believe that referees should be told to address existing laws. The main 2 game killers at the moment in my opinion: -
Not binding at the scrum. If the flankers are not bound for the full length of the arm UNTIL the ball has left the scrum then it is a penalty. This would tie them in allowing the scrumhalf to move the ball out to the backs in the hope that the fly-half won't kick it. If a flanker is penalised 3 times for not binding then issue a yellow card for persistent infringments. Likewise, the number 8 must be bound on with both shoulders to the second-row. If the ball is at his feet and he removes even one shoulder, the ball is out and is fair game. If the ball is still with the second-row and the number 8 breaks his binding with one or more shoulders then he should be deemed as having left the scrum and be forced to retreat to line of the backs.
Offside at the ruck or maul. Players who deliberately stand in an offside position (in front of the hindmost player) and block the opposition players. Offside is a penalty infringement and should be penalised. Again multiple penalties by the same player is persistant infringing and merits a yellow card.
I could go on about the tackle area and crooked feeds into the scrum but will leave that for another day!
Any views?
Nope, it's more to do with the none-enforcement or relaxing of some of the rules. If we want to see our glorious game improve (as it has done from a player perspective since the coming of professionalism) I believe that referees should be told to address existing laws. The main 2 game killers at the moment in my opinion: -
Not binding at the scrum. If the flankers are not bound for the full length of the arm UNTIL the ball has left the scrum then it is a penalty. This would tie them in allowing the scrumhalf to move the ball out to the backs in the hope that the fly-half won't kick it. If a flanker is penalised 3 times for not binding then issue a yellow card for persistent infringments. Likewise, the number 8 must be bound on with both shoulders to the second-row. If the ball is at his feet and he removes even one shoulder, the ball is out and is fair game. If the ball is still with the second-row and the number 8 breaks his binding with one or more shoulders then he should be deemed as having left the scrum and be forced to retreat to line of the backs.
Offside at the ruck or maul. Players who deliberately stand in an offside position (in front of the hindmost player) and block the opposition players. Offside is a penalty infringement and should be penalised. Again multiple penalties by the same player is persistant infringing and merits a yellow card.
I could go on about the tackle area and crooked feeds into the scrum but will leave that for another day!
Any views?