Loose Pass: The wrong tweak and the way forward

David Skippers

This week we will mostly be concerning ourselves with residency, strategy, irritation and inconsistency…

The wrong tweak

It sneaked in during a week in which all eyes were on the conclusion/commencement of tournaments on opposite sides of the world, but it was registered here, and with many a furrowed brow.

Just after Loose Pass had been completed last week, a press release crawled out from World Rugby, declaring an extension to the period before which the residency rule for international players jumps from three to five years, from the end of this year to the end of 2021.

The rule was extended on the grounds that some players who could have become eligible this year (they would have had to have played before December 31) wouldn’t, because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Yet the delay of the start date also now renders potentially eligible a whole raft of players who would normally have only been eligible in four years’ time (who moved countries in 2018), as they now have a shorter window.

It’s understandable that those who moved in 2017 and were denied their chance this year could get an exemption, but it’s much less understandable that those who moved after the end of 2017 now get a shot much earlier than they would normally have – indeed it seems to run somewhat contrary to the spirit of the new rule as it had been intended.

Surely it would have been fairer to extend the period of residency to 48 months for those who had arrived somewhere during 2017? That at least would have targeted those who suffered as a result of the pandemic only, rather than allowing opportunity for others who should not have benefitted?

The way forward

Criticism aside, World Rugby ‘redeemed’ itself a couple of days later, with the announcement that not only would the hosts of the next two men’s World Cups (2027 and 2031) be announced in 2022, but also the hosts of the next two women’s World Cups (2025 and 2029).

Large in the announcement was the following statement: “Providing 10 years of vital clarity for all of those stakeholders, it’s hoped that the new approach will create the opportunity for World Rugby and host unions to develop an integrated legacy…” while making the very pertinent point that the security of having, last time, announced England for 2015 and Japan for 2019 ensured a potent mix of security and venture.

Meanwhile, to give the women’s version – women’s rugby is by far the fastest-growing segment of the game at the moment – an equal platform in an integrated bidding process is an excellent piece of governance.

The announcement of the four lucky hosts, surely now including a mix of established and new territories, will be a good day for rugby to show how it is spreading around the world, and will continue to do so for the next decade.

Oo oo oooo, come on…

Another weekend in Europe, another raft of minutes wasted by pointless ruck formations in the Premiership. We’re estimating a good ten minutes of game time across the games was spent on the human centipede, or the ruck conga, or whatever you want to call it.

It’s an English thing. We can’t remember a single time that it was used in Super Rugby Aotearoa, or in Australia (happy to be proved wrong there), and it’s insanely frustrating, negative and boring.

Our suggestions would be for referees to have the power to call ‘use it’ earlier – as soon as the ball is clearly visible at the back of the ruck, for example. Or to outlaw the scrum-half using his feet more than once to position the ball. Or even at all. Or perhaps, for the referee to call ‘ruck over’ once the ball is clear at the back and outlawing any further players joining the ruck after that call so that once the initial contest has stopped, scrum-halves can play without interference.

Anything, really anything, to get rid of this ridiculous, time-wasting eyesore.

Did we really think it would be enforceable?

Socially-distanced celebrations for tries, we were told. No spitting. No bad language. Blah blah blah. Full-blooded rugby would be back, but also the players would be able to conquer their fatigue and adrenaline and hold back at all times.

Two moments spring to mind: Joe Simpson’s expletive-laden exit from the Worcester-Gloucester game after an hour which prompted a commentator’s apology, and Ben Spencer’s intercept try for Bath against London Irish, celebrated with a hug from Anthony Watson followed by the ejection of a huge gobbet of spittle from Watson’s mouth.

Not forgetting, of course, Luke Cowan-Dickie’s somewhat frothy try celebrations… we’re not taking the above players to task for this, more those who really genuinely believed that there’d be no hugs, no spits, no swearing… we’re very curious to know if the above incidents (of which there were plenty of other examples) will end up with some slapped wrists. Or are we finally, going to let the players be players…

Loose Pass compiled by Lawrence Nolan

 

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