Good call Rugby Fan.

The game at the top level is moving to more akin to American Football (Gridiron). For example - International Rugby games move methodically from one play to the next; long breaks between each play as injured players are checked or boot laces tied; there are numerous players coming on and off the field; the Referee's (Umpires) and TMO's are reviewing every play in minute detail.

However, here in Tajikistan the club game is doing well and the passion remains. Fans continue to attend in numbers they always have. Referee's are wired to the touch judges, who can intervene, but generally keep it to a minimum. Because it's club level, defences are less organised, tacklers are less adept at their art and thus players are inclined to run the ball.

Club rugby is the only rugby I'm really interested in now. I attend every Saturday, whereas the All Black-Italy game was the first World Cup game I'd tuned into.