Should the ladder/caterpiller ruck be outlawed?

[CrouchTPEngage]

https://www.rugbypass.com/news/exete...ole-criticised

Interesting article about the use of the caterpiller or "ladder" ruck.
Slowing down the game. Giving the 9 lots of space and time to box=kick with no pressure.
Is this clever, entertaining or boring and time-wasting ?
Should we be doing something to discourage it ?

[didds]

I suppose the real question is .. IF it was to be outlawed how would it be worded such that

* it prevents what is wanted to be stopped
* with no confusions, succinctly and clearly
* without any unintended consequences?

That's the rub with many of rugby's laws .

And lest face it when they can't get something as simple as putting a ball into the scrum "straight" sorted how on earth are they going to acheive the above?

didds

[CrouchTPEngage]

I wonder how many refs on here often give turnovers once the 5 seconds after the "Use!" is called ?

[SimonSmith]

I never have No 9s delay, so it isn't an issue for me

[Jarrod Burton]

It needs to be addressed, but as the others have said, how would you enforce it? Change the definition of what is bound in a ruck if a player is not in contact with an opposition player? Opens a can of worms.

[Ian_Cook]

There's a simple, straightforward solution to the caterpillar ruck - ENFORCE THE BLOODY OFFSIDE LAW AT THE RUCK (Law 15.4)

The only reason that caterpillar rucks started happening in the first place was because referees failed to keep the pillars onside, resulting in the SH's time to pick up and box kick being cut down.

Enforce Law 15.4, and the reason for the caterpillar ruck goes away.

[crossref]

Or enforce the 9 to be behind the back foot, so that the ball has to heeled back along the caterpillar

[Rich_NL]

I wonder how many refs on here often give turnovers once the 5 seconds after the "Use!" is called ?

I've only once had a call go to 5 seconds, and that was because I was standing in the passing lane. Oops.

[didds]

Or enforce the 9 to be behind the back foot, so that the ball has to heeled back along the caterpillar

I may have missed your nuance here CR but that wont get rid of the CR, just changes who slowly toes it along the length of the caterpillar? Until it reaches the final player in the CR and the the SH can jiggle it about with HIS toe until its where he wants it anyway.

Ian's point is a good one. Many silly issues could be sorted - or at least start to be sorted - by insisting the laws are followed in the first place. then review what THEN needs addressing.




didds

[Marc Wakeham]

What "phase" are win in in the picture? Is it:

1: a Post tackle (TWOL)
2: A ruck

If it is a tackle why give 5 seconds. At a tackle the ball must be made available "immediately". That is not happening.

If it is a ruck where the "defenders" have detached. The ball is available and Law 15.17. should apply.

Of course, Ian is right, if we enforce the various offside lines the problam will largely resolve itself.