And this is why better minds than mine need to look at this. Half the issue is that a lot of the what we discuss is a product of the elite game, and those pro players are are so far removed from the “all shapes and sizes” we still just about see at grass roots. What we’re seeing more and more is there are 2 types of player - heavy and powerful or heavy and fast, and when it goes wrong for them it can be a mess. (I don’t think England’s Curry’s late tackle on Italy’s Mallía was more than that but the raw physics of the collision was enough to flatten the player and force a retirement.)
The scrum is a mess - this is no criticism of SA, but they often have such an advantage (weight, power, technique, depth of squad, whatever…) that they can force penalty after penalty. And when you have that edge why would you not use it? Even down in the lower leagues we will see mismatches in skill and power - it’s just the difference doesn’t seem as stark and I haven’t got more than 40-150 people watching when I end up with a score more akin to a cricket match.
Whither the scum? Do we tweak the edges - enforce straight feeds etc. - or do we need something more fundamental?
Same with lineouts - maybe a simple enforcement of all players need to be in the lineout when the ball comes in rather then already forming the maul, or other laws?
The tackle is always going to be the tough one. I think the French are or have enforced a rule outside the elite level to ban dropping height into a tackle. I know early on there was some grumbling but the feedback was that it encouraged players to hit spaces not faces an offload earlier which created more flowing game. Would be interesting to know if that is still the case and what the upshot was in the quality of the game.
I guess if i knew a sure fire way to cut that gordian knot, then I’d be a much richer man than i am now.
I am not sure the SA has superior technique only pure power. But when the skill of hooking has been consigned to the way back machine then this weight advantage is fully exploited.
Yes also with the line outs I think it was highlighted one game over the weekend where the hooker took 10 adjusting steps before throwing the ball. I don't want to see the same mess that we have at scrums with refs calling tempo but give them the mark for the line.
Count to 15.
Line should be formed and ball thrown in, if not then peep.
If I wanted to watch dancing I would get tickets for the ball room at Blackpool. Get on with the game FFS.
Play quick, tire the fatties out, get them tracking backwards and sideways, get them flat footed in defence, get a runner turning them inside out, get them offside, because they're wretching from the extreme strain the lungs and heart are being put under.
Can't keep up lose some weight.
If they want big powerful props then expect to pay the penalty when they are left blowing. I've played with a prop who could lift the scrum machine, truly impressive, but he walked around the park. There is always a drop off because aerobic fitness and stamina is a trade off and we get a 40 min prop.
SA changed their front row before half time and one came back on at 73 mins, due to a "neck injury"! You could see against Ireland that SA forwards were visibly flagging, but Ireland didn't spot or exploit this, the outside half was not aware enough and even when it got to the wingers they were too slow.
I get the point about hitting spaces and pass before contact has to be the best way to keep possession and keep momentum see Argentina yesterday. But at times when the ball is bobbling and dirty someone has to just tidy it and drive back in, low and hard, get back towards the gain line
I feel inhibiting number of replacements is key to rebalancing all this but all other Laws should be applied.
Materiality is far too variable.
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