All Blacks great ‘concerned’ World Rugby law amendment will create ‘boring kick-fests’

Former All Blacks full-back Israel Dagg has backed World Rugby’s reported clampdown on blocking following box-kicks, but adds that it has left him with one big “concern”.

According to the Telegraph, the governing body have tasked the match officials with being stricter on the receiving team when they are taking a box-kick or ‘up and under’.

Currently, defending players will jog back towards the catcher in an attempt to make it difficult for the chaser to compete in the air.

They are known in the game as ‘escorts’ as they seek to make it as tough as possible for the attacking team to get the ball back.

A legal tactic

It is currently legal, providing they don’t change their line, as they are heading to where the ball is being caught.

However, World Rugby are reportedly looking to make changes in this area for the November Tests as defending players risk being penalised should they ‘slow down’ as they go towards the catcher.

On the positive side of things, it should allow for more contests in the air and, as a result, Dagg believes that it could benefit the game.

“They’re just trying to get rid of that to make it a 50/50 contest, which for me I’m [happy] with. I want to see a contest, I want to see both players being able to get up,” he said on SENZ Radio.

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However, the ex-All Blacks star also states that there could be a downside and that it could result in more kicking.

If teams are benefiting from the tactic and are gaining good field position then they may be less inclined to move the ball through the hands.

“I think this is a great initiative from World Rugby to try and make it an even contest,” he said.

“My only concern, and this is probably a concern of most people, is that we tend to box-kick a lot already. When you know you’ve got this at your disposal, how much more kicking are we going to see?

“This is potentially going to turn it into a kick-fest, which bores a whole lot of people. But maybe if it’s a contest and it’s 50/50, people might enjoy it.”

Life as a full-back

Dagg was a superb back three player during his career, who was equally capable at either wing or full-back, and therefore knows the aerial skills required for the positions.

The 36-year-old former All Black also understands the role his team-mates play in giving the catchers protection from the chasers.

“When I was playing, my biggest conversation leading into the Test match was telling the players in front of me, ‘turn and burn’,” Dagg quipped.

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