Better Rugby Rules

Source: Trans tasman rugby declares bore war

Extracts..

John O’Neill, the ARU chief executive, admitted Australian rugby hit ”rock bottom” during a torpid 2009 campaign in which none of the nation’s four Super 14 franchises reached the tournament’s semifinals.

”Reds, Waratahs, Brumbies, Force … we’ve all sat around the table and looked at the reality of where crowd figures have gone and where the game generally is at. I think we’ve hit the bottom and every one of the four teams is determined to deliver winning and entertaining rugby.

There have been two main areas that fan feedback and our own evaluation process have highlighted, and that’s scrum time and the breakdown. We are hoping to simplify those facets of the game to make conditions more conducive to good footy.

O’Neill was optimistic the reversion to running rugby would lead Australia out of the doldrums at international and domestic level, and continue the mini-revival started on Australia’s autumn tour of the northern hemisphere.

COMMENTS:  Ok , if you are an ABs supporter you know that ‘running rugby’ all the time does not always win you the big trophy’s. (ak the last 4 RWC). Smart tactical rugby does, that knowing when to run, knowing when to maul and knowing when to kick. The Spring Boks get my vote as the smartest rugby team over the last two years, after all they won a second RWC and beat the ABs 3-0 this year in Tri Nations.

Running rugby and winning rugby is not the same thing. Administrators laying down the law as to the style the team plays to coaches is NOT SMART. I refer you to last RWC when Georgia beat Ireland using a tight forward game, not running rugby and WON ! A rugby team must play to its strengths and conditions of the day.

The above noise from John O’Neill just show how desperate his ELV campaign was to take on his local rugby league and AFL. His vision of rugby is not good for world rugby community. That said the slight adjustment to the rules this year just may be a good thing, see previous posts.