K
kbourke88
Guest
So I'm sure most of you will have heard about the new Stellenbosche laws that are being trialled at Shute Shield level here in Australia, and a few other comps around the world, and there is a big push for the laws to be implemented sooner rather than later at the highest level here...
So i think a few of the laws are a step in the right direction, and a few im still on the fence about. Thought I'd open it up to my learned colleagues on the forum for a bit of discussion...
In case you dont know what the laws are:
At the Scrum:
the Stellenbosch laws require the backs to be at least 5m behind - rather than level with - the hindmost foot of the scrum. This goes for attacking and defending teams..
At the Breakdown:
Players - so long as they're onside, have entered from the back and are on their feet - can play the ball with their hands.
Maul:
Collapsing the maul is allowed.
Kicking:
Cannot pass the ball back into the 22m to kick it out on the full. If the ball is passed back it must bounce before touch.
Penalties:
A lot of minor/technical offences will now become short arm penalties - eg, breaking off from the scrum
This is to stop refs deciding matches by giving 3 point opportunities.
Corner Flags:
Will either be rid of or wont count as out if you touch the flag.
So thats the gist of it... i like the rucking rules - its been a mess there for a while, and spectators and players are a bit miffed at a lot of decisions... I think the kicking is good too.. will encourage running and counter attack. Corner flag, im totally indifferent.
Penalties, some will say good, some will say bad, i am thoroughly on the fence on that one.
The Maul rule is crap. Its just about the best way that forwards can demonstrate their dominance, and i for one as a dedicated piggie hate that rule and hope it gets scrapped. I guess the only positive thing about it is that you would have to get the ball right to the back faster, and probably your mauling technique would become much better...
The 5m back at the scrum rule, well i personally think that the backs have enough space and time as it is at the scrum, and it will take openside flankers right out of the contest for smashing the fly half... tahts the best part of the game for me, putting the massive blindsider on a pretty boy fly half...
Opinions all: Yay or Nay and why....
So i think a few of the laws are a step in the right direction, and a few im still on the fence about. Thought I'd open it up to my learned colleagues on the forum for a bit of discussion...
In case you dont know what the laws are:
At the Scrum:
the Stellenbosch laws require the backs to be at least 5m behind - rather than level with - the hindmost foot of the scrum. This goes for attacking and defending teams..
At the Breakdown:
Players - so long as they're onside, have entered from the back and are on their feet - can play the ball with their hands.
Maul:
Collapsing the maul is allowed.
Kicking:
Cannot pass the ball back into the 22m to kick it out on the full. If the ball is passed back it must bounce before touch.
Penalties:
A lot of minor/technical offences will now become short arm penalties - eg, breaking off from the scrum
This is to stop refs deciding matches by giving 3 point opportunities.
Corner Flags:
Will either be rid of or wont count as out if you touch the flag.
So thats the gist of it... i like the rucking rules - its been a mess there for a while, and spectators and players are a bit miffed at a lot of decisions... I think the kicking is good too.. will encourage running and counter attack. Corner flag, im totally indifferent.
Penalties, some will say good, some will say bad, i am thoroughly on the fence on that one.
The Maul rule is crap. Its just about the best way that forwards can demonstrate their dominance, and i for one as a dedicated piggie hate that rule and hope it gets scrapped. I guess the only positive thing about it is that you would have to get the ball right to the back faster, and probably your mauling technique would become much better...
The 5m back at the scrum rule, well i personally think that the backs have enough space and time as it is at the scrum, and it will take openside flankers right out of the contest for smashing the fly half... tahts the best part of the game for me, putting the massive blindsider on a pretty boy fly half...
Opinions all: Yay or Nay and why....