5, 4, 3, 2, 1, use it. We like!
This week we will mostly be concerning ourselves with new laws and some other odds and ends...
All hail the lawmakers! Four years ago we had the ridiculous ELVs that allowed collapsed mauls, finger-wrestling on the ground to get at the ball, offside lines at the tackle... we had anarchy.
This time, for the next eighteen months we have a common sense list of tweaks, all designed to get the players playing, the kickers kicking, the referees reffing and the game clean. It's as though a rugby wish-list has been granted, a little visit from a Canterbury-clad Santa Claus.
We'll start with the one we like the most: that a ball must be played once available from the back of a ruck within five seconds.
One of the ruck concepts doing the rounds at the moment is called the 'centipede' ruck: that one where a stable ruck already over as a contest is nevertheless joined by two or three players at the back one behind the other, in order to buy a scrum-half either time to make a decision, room to kick, or time to waste as the clock runs down. Saracens, the Bulls and Munster are all masters of it. It's horrible to watch, as we've opined in this column before.
The new law appears designed to crush the centipede underfoot, as well as to eliminate the ludicrous posturising time-wasting that goes on between scrum-halves and first receivers seeking to wind down the clock in a tight game. If you are not sure what we are talking about there, watch the final five minutes of last year's World Cup Final. Interestingly, that very same referee was this weekend to be heard urging half-backs to use the ball or run the risk of being whistled for time-wasting...
But it will cause problems. Coaches are going to question the interpretation of when a ball is available or not, are going to find ways of making a ruck seem more contested than it is to slow it down, may even question that if they do start centipeding, surely a new five seconds is bought each time another 'rucker' arrives.
Out of all the laws introduced this round, this one is the one referees and their mentors have to be toughest about enforcing, for having only five seconds between phases will make for a significantly improved spectacle and keeps the onus on the team in possession to use the ball constructively.
That the bench would be increased to add another prop was nigh on inevitable, while the minor extension of where a quick throw-in can be taken from is barely going to be noticeable except at stadia like Westpac, where there is a bigger area outside the pitch. Offering teams the choice of a line-out or scrum when a knock-on goes into touch or when an offence is committed at a line-out is a technical one for the layman, a potential source of riches for a shrewd coach.
The increase in TMO powers on adjudication of foul play may cause the most teething problems with players milking the system and asking the referee to go upstairs, but as long as protocols are established that make sure the referee only goes there when he knows something has taken place and just needs a number, it should be ok.
Increasing the TMO powers to adjudicate on events leading up to tries is a problematic one. But once the question 'how far back can you go?' has been answered sensibly and also set under protocols, we should get a more precise tool for score adjudication.
But finally, the one we like the most: there's this business of a conversion having to be taken within 90 seconds of the score. So now we don't have the kicker tying shoelaces, swapping phone numbers with the cheerleaders, drinking gallons of water and spitting them out again and considering his haircut options on the big screen while he waits for the tee to arrive and the clock winds down, all before the allotted 60 seconds for the kick begin. Now we have onus on the tee-bearer to get out quickly, the kicker to get set and kick the ball, everybody to get the hell on with the game.
Same with the ruck law change really. A middle finger to burgeoning negative practices, a kick up the pant-seat for coaches who are just content to 'see out a game', a recognition that fans know their sport and want to see a better product. Thanks lawmakers, you've done a terrific job this time.
It would probably be amiss not to congratulate Leinster on the maintenance of their dynasty. They've played some terrific rugby, able to dig in just as much as demolish all season long. You wouldn't bet against their taking the RaboDirect PRO12 this coming weekend and finishing a double... Leicester, Wasps, Toulouse and now Leinster... which is the greatest European team of the modern era now? Discuss...
Loose Pass compiled by Richard Anderson
Comments
JayStarr says...
Well done Richard Anderson! A relatively sensible, unbiased article for once... Probably because you basically only wrote about one topic, but good nevertheless!
I too am thrilled at the prospect of indecisive/time-wasting/terrified scrum-halves being told to hurry the hell up...
As for the TMO's and where to draw the line:
I think part of the problem with some laws is the fact that people want it to be absolute and universal - which leaves no room for badly needed common sense. For example: the infamous match between SA and NZ in PE where the pass to the try-scorer was CLEARLY forward, but the absolute law did not allow for interpretation or contextual thinking by the referee (TMO), which resulted in an uproar when the poor guy DARED to think for himself and make the right decision...
I think with the added TMO powers there should be GUIDELINES as to how to use it, but still leave room for interpretation in the given context for the referee and the TMO, in order to give common sense a chance to prevail. Yes, there will inevitably be controversial decisions - but those are there with the way things are right now as well... We will never get away from controversial decisions.
Give the refs and TMO's a bit of freedom to make a judgement in every context - and then review after the game whether their decision was right or wrong, identifying refs who make good decisions (just like players). I believe this added responsibility (instead of just hiding behind the law), would result in more correct, common sense decisions from refs, instead of having multiple controversial decisions because the law was so absolute and universal.
Yes, a handful of referees are clearly narcissistic idiots, but most top class referees are very bright people - between four of them and access to video material, they will make the right decisions most of the time.
Posted 17:53 21st May 2012
APV1 says...
@ daibok - unfortunately all the Islanders have been capped once by NZ and then sent into the wilderness.
I think it's just a conspiricy to upset the Saffas..!
;-)
Posted 17:27 21st May 2012
NHsaints says...
All of this sounds fairly good but only 90 seconds to take a conversion?! That's terrible...what if the kick is to win the game!? You can't expect to be rushing kickers like that so I second APV1 in that the clock should be stopped for conversions.
Posted 17:11 21st May 2012
chesh10 says...
I still feel the scrum should be removed as an option at free-kicks from both line-outs (i.e. with not straight throws) and scrums. Penalties are fine, because we don't want to see the scrum become a bit-part but just encourage teams to get on with the game asap (more quick taps). Avoid constant re-sets
Posted 16:42 21st May 2012
Celticspirit says...
Law changes (trials) all seem sensible this time, indeed. Everyone seems to be arguing that they may be countered in one way or another, but that is an evolution that is to be expected. Always action and reaction, what you going to do... So I think it is a good step in the right direction and agree with LP.
Best European team of the modern era in my view would in fact have to be Leinster. All the ones named, like Leicester and Toulouse especially could have very valid arguments made for them if one were willing to do so, but just the fact how over 4 years now Leinster have been able to win seemingly everything while resting some of the Irish national players, namely especially BOD, is just amazing. Also, Toulouse never seemed to be able to win without style, Leicester never with it, while Leinster just seems to be able to adjust to what is needed and how much of it at any given time - while also scoring a bucket-load of tries in meaningful games like semifinals or quarterfinals. So Leinster gets the award in my humble opinion.
Posted 15:46 21st May 2012
melkdave says...
All in all some decent rule chnges imo,i have no problem with pick and drives ,comming from rucks as at least the ball is in motion.It may also allow more holes to be made in defensive lines for breaks .as players have less time to reset it.As to the 90 seconds to take a conversion ,surly it isnt to hard to stop the match clock as per@Markpats suggestion and a 90second countdown clock to start??The match clock restarting with either a 22 drop out or restart if succesful.The TMO also ruling on any precived foul play is also a very good call,but still a bit wary of them ruling on things leading upto a try,just how far back will they be allowed to go 1phase 2phases 20phases.Referees imo use the TMOs to much in awarding trys as it is ,calling on them when there is no ovisous need just to cover their backs .Of course the big question is the scrum which isnt covered this time ,surly time to have the packs formed and engaged before the referee allows the feed,not at the same time as they engage as it is now
Also congratulations toLeinster and Ulster on giving us a great HC final to watch ,and Leinster on being worthy winners
Posted 15:16 21st May 2012
irishinlondon says...
the irb really need to ask citing commissioners to site diving and play acting, lets stop this while it is not engrained in players mindset.
Posted 15:14 21st May 2012
daibok says...
@APV - If Matt Stevens carreer is finished are you sure you have the required Saffa/Kiwi/Islander/Yank to replace him?
Sorry, but after your S15 wind ups I couldnt resist.
Posted 14:36 21st May 2012
quietbrit says...
This batch of ELVs seem sensible.
I just wish they had sorted out the Scrum - predictable engagement calls and straight feeds are still desperately needed. Plus giving the TMO the power to inform the ref of scrum penalties in real time.
The ruck law is a shot in the right direction - I'm sure that players and directors of rugby will find ways to abuse it. As long as refs ping for the ball not coming out at all reasonably promptly there shouldn't be too much scope for delay.
Also Leinster - legendary!
Posted 14:36 21st May 2012
Headhunter99 says...
I have to say that I'm in agreement with PR on all of this, especially the 5 second rule at the ruck. I know that I'm not always the sharpest but I've missed what the ref awards is the 5 seconds elapse and the ball is not played out of the ruck... any information gratefully received.
With regard to the kick time allowed, how about following basketball and introduce a shot clock ? In basketball you have 30 seconds to take the shot from the moment a side gains possession or its a turnover. For rugby I'd suggest that the moment the referee awards the try the clock is viewable and starts ticking down. If the Ref has gone to the TMO the clock starts ticking the moment the result comes up on the screen. I'd also like to see this apply to a full penalty start the clock as soon as the offence is whistled, cut out all time wasting.
Finally got to agree with everyone about Leinster and even as a Wasps supporter I think they shade the great Wasps team that Gatland/Edwards coached.
Posted 14:24 21st May 2012
markpat says...
@APV1 - I also don't understand why the clock isn't stopped for conversions and penalties, simple enough to start the thing again once the ball is actually kicked, in case a penalty misses. Would also stops teams wasting time on restarts after tries if the clock on restarts after tries on the kickoff.
One thing that's become very noticable since the laws have tried to stop teams winding down the clock is that scrums seems to take much longer in the last 10-15 minutes of a game. Various calls have come for clocks to be stopped for the setting of scrums, surely more time actually playing the game is what everyone wants to see?
Would also like to see players penalised if they are faking, if TMOs are going to review foul play as well.
Posted 14:05 21st May 2012
J_HDK says...
Superficially, it would seem to me that the five second ruck rule will penalise teams that have successfully turned over the ball in defence.
If teams are keen to slow the game down while in possession from the ruck all they are going to do is a pop pass to another forward and generate another phase of rucking within a metre of the original ruck.
What the law changers needed to address more-so than anything else is the scrum....and they didn't bother.
Posted 13:27 21st May 2012
Bones7 says...
The 'centipede' will be replaced then by pick and drives and hitting stationary pods of forwards flat. This 5 second rule is going to easily be countered to get the same results from a slight variation in play. What if noone is set? What if the 9 is there waiting for his 10 to get back, or a player has made a break and his team are only just getting to him? What a joke, we'll be having time outs next
Posted 12:57 21st May 2012
BokAvenger says...
Totally agree with you guys on the centipede ruck - it's a blight on the game.
Posted 12:41 21st May 2012
jamesliveinhope says...
agree with PR's sentiment her but. as a point of order, centipedeing is a little more that just timewasting, its also a means of widening the gap between offside lines.
If the ELVs recognised anything about the game it was that the blitz defence was starting to stifle all but the very best sides from putting any kind of width on their game with the ball rarely getting wider than 10 unless he was prepared to stand very deep. The addition of players in a line may give 2 or three yards more for defenders to run thus giving the halfbacks a split second more to act.
Whilst I broadly agree with the new rules and their sentiment, we should always be careful what we wish for.
Posted 12:39 21st May 2012
APV1 says...
New laws:
5 second ruck is an excellent decision. As always, however, it will be the consistency of the ref's which will make or break this. There needs to be clear guidance on when the 5 seconds starts and all ref's need to officiate this the same way. Otherwise it's pointless.
The additonal prop is also good news. It means that props are able to specialise and teams don't have to compromise with a "prop who can play both sides", over a specialist for each position. If this gets to test level, it might also see the end of Matt Stevens' test career, which would be good for England.
Line-out or scrum? Give the attacking team an additional option, which can only be a good thing.
And it's about time the TMO is given some more responsibility. Let's just hope those pathetic Oscar-nomianted diving wastrels don't get wind of this, otherwise we'll descend into soccer-standard acting.
And why don't they just stop the clock for the kick? It gives the kicker the time they think they need to do the job, but doesn't affect the game time.
And Hear! Hear! Congratulations Leinster!
Posted 12:33 21st May 2012