‘Cull the TMO’ and radical save the game solutions including changes to scrum penalties and substitutions – Mailbox
Referees look on during a TMO decision.
At Planet Rugby we are always open to hearing your views on the game and this week we have an intriguing Mailbox piece to share.
Dave Rewi Te, a reader originally from Wellington but now a Brisbane man, reached out with some radical ideas on how to save the game.
Suggestions
It starts with a change to the points structure of the game, with more for tries and less for penalties to prevent teams from winning with only penalties.
“Increase tries to 6 points and decrease penalty kicks to 2 points…it ensures that constructive play is rewarded and teams can’t win just off kicks v tries,” Rewi Te wrote.
Rewi Te then suggests changes to the scrum, which will undoubtedly infuriate Springboks fans. He believes removing penalties resulting from scrums will promote running rugby.
“Reduce ALL scrums penalties to short arm…this promotes running rugby and does not reward giant scrums v small who play to milk penalties…the physics of scrum momentum is too complex for any ref to pinpoint fault.”
The recommendations then move into how players are penalised for dangerous tackles with a 30-minute red card option AND a three-point deduction, using Sam Cane and Siya Kolisi as examples from the Rugby World Cup final.
“30-minute red card and deduct 3 points…cannot allow Test matches 14 on 15…the 2023 Rugby World Cup final was a diabolical example both (Sam) Cane and (Siya) Kolisi hits were borderline certainly not worthy of a red card.”
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Substitution changes
We continue with another suggestion that will not be welcomed by Springboks fans with a new take on how substitutions should be made.
“Limit non-injury subs to 2 per quarter and none in the last 10 minutes…rugby is a game of attrition let it play out as such…the Boks are distorting the game in the wrong direction.”
Finally, Rewi Te believes the power of the referee cannot be taken by the TMO and has called for a new structure.
“Cull the power of the TMO so that they respond only to questions from the on-field officials…even if the TMO sees something in back play……WR (World Rugby) cannot allow TMOs to usurp the authority of the three on-field officials.”
Have your say
What do you think of the suggestions made? We would love to hear your thoughts, reach us at planetrugbyeditor@planetsport.com and your views could be shared on our platforms.