Better Rugby Rules

Source:  Selectors HalfBacks are Kings NOW !

Extract..

..”The All Blacks selection panel appear poised to spring a surprise on us with confirmation coming yesterday from assistant coach Wayne Smith that he and head coach Graham Henry believe rugby has a new kingmaker: the halfback.

The reign and control once exerted by first-fives is now on the wane and the search is on for a No9 who, first and foremost, can run and therefore take advantage of the new powers bestowed upon the position by the game’s lawmakers.

Smith, a former All Blacks first-five, believes this year’s law interpretations “mean the halfback is much more important than he used to be”….

COMMENTS: Well, anybody who’s over 40 will not be upset with this analysis. Why, we can remember Loveridge,  Bachop and Going. These guys had to be equally clever and rugby smart as first fives , and they were. However to day, its not so much the person who is the half back its is anybody who is standing there at the base of the ruck as the current game is so fluid that all forwards need to be very rugby smart.

I feel this is a good sign, and the future of rugby is looking up. I also think that Aussie George Greagan replacement Will Genia may be the best in the world (at the moment).