Loose Pass: Air Steward and our wish list for 2022
This week we will mostly be concerning ourselves with a standout performance, tennis, and the laws we would like to see introduced next year…
Catch of the week
The week’s most notable performance? Will Edwards a close second, as was Alex Dombrandt and Andre Esterhuizen, as were quite a few of the players on show at Twickenham.
Castres’ Benjamin Urdapilleta also gets an honourable mention, with a collective nod also going to La Rochelle’s monstrous pack.
But we found the display by Leicester’s Freddie Steward as effective as anything we’ve seen on a rugby pitch for some time. It’s not that he scored, kicked well, or any of those things so dear to the attacking strategists, but Loose Pass cannot remember the last time we saw somebody so good under the high ball.
OK so standout performance of the week might be overstating it – perhaps under-rated standout performance might be better. Yet as Bristol’s bombs rained down on Leicester’s full-back, it became clearer and clearer as the game went on that Bristol were giving possession away almost every time boot went to ball. It helps that he’s half a foot taller than his counterparts, but the technique, chest under the ball, body side-on, basket hands waiting and well-timed jump, is spot on every time.
He’ll need to hone his attacking edge further, yet in an age where teams are resorting more and more to kicking (more in a moment) contestable kicks or looking for 50-22s, England may have unearthed a gem to tip that strategic aspect of the game firmly in their favour.
Warming up for Wimbledon
Loose Pass touched briefly upon the proliferation of long kicking which is creeping into the game in a recent rant, met by puzzlement from some and agreement from others.
Granted, anyone who watched the Quins-Saints match would have wondered what it was we were on about. Anybody who watched the Wasps-London Irish match however, would not.
It was not the entire game, but a passage of play early in the second half, featuring at least fifteen kicks and to which the crowd began responding with ironic cheers every time another tired boot was put to another tired ball, marked out the growing problem with the 50-22 rule and its usage.
Moreover, it is not as if the receiving team does not have space when faced with such kicks. Referees and TMOs alike now watch the chasing team like hungry hawks, looking for the slightest of ambling movements forward by any of the ‘offside’ players. During the passage of play referred to above, those trapped underneath the long-range missiles flying above might just as well have ordered an espresso and had a bit of a chat.
We believe there is a remedy however, which brings us neatly on to…
Wish list for 2022
Miracles can happen. Within a couple of weeks of Saracens poking themselves through a loophole in the rules in order to put pressure on a scrum-half, World Rugby yanked the drawstrings around said loophole tightly shut. The Counterpillar is no more.
Which proves it can be done. And so, with an air of positivity not seen since Harlequins gathered under the Bristol posts at 28-0 down and decided it was enough of a head start, here are Loose Pass’ law-tweaking recommendations for 2022 and beyond…
1) The referee to call ‘use it’ as soon as the ball is available, no player from either side can join the ruck after the referee makes that call, and the time the half-back (or whoever) has to play the ball after that call to be reduced to three seconds.
Hopefully we can get rid of the Caterpillar ruck, the endless box kicks, and speed the game up a little.
2) A maximum of two water-boys per team, none of whom are allowed to be members of the coaching staff.
At times it seemed there were more bibs than playing jerseys on the pitch at Twickenham, while the breaks get ever-longer. And really good players shouldn’t need coaches during the game…
3) Mauls to be given only one chance to go forward, not two.
It’s just too easy for mauls for a variety of reasons, but almost of these occur during the second charge when the attacking team has been able to regroup. One chance only and if it’s a quick standstill, then use it.
4) Penalising taunting and theatrical celebrations when players win penalties.
The Harlequins player who was penalised for reacting to an in-your-face taunt with a shove did not deserve his fate. The guy who was screaming in his team-mate’s face did. Sport is sport and we rugbyers are all competitive beasts, but there’s a limit. Even the Americans have understood this one.
5) Penalising subs who join in celebrations when a try has been scored.
See above.
6) Penalising players, water-boys and physios who start shouting at match officials.
Do we need to explain this one?
7) Teams may kick a maximum of three times each between rucks (attacking chips excluded).
A desperately hopeful one this, but it would eradicate the kick-tennis once and for all – especially now referees have got chasers in order.
Any others? Feel free to add to the list in the comments section below, and from Loose Pass and all at Planet Rugby, we wish you all the very best for 2022 and beyond.
Loose Pass compiled by Lawrence Nolan
