Today when flyers like Brian Habana and Doug Howlett get the ball they invariably get three men on top of them at the same time.

Rugby used to be a game for all sizes. Light speedy backs, small scrum halves and skilful halfbacks.

The centre of the field has become cluttered with bodies and you can only distinguish forwards from backs by the numbers on their jerseys.

I’m afraid rugby union is becoming more and more like rugby league and I don’t think it will be too far off when they reduce the teams to thirteen.

The new laws are already being played ‘down under’ and from what I have seen the line out and scrum is the only set piece as the maul is now allowed to be pulled down.

The Munster pack have perfected the maul over the past few years and used it to telling effect. The ploy is now a thing of the past.

One of the proposed changes I do endorse is defense at scrum time. The defending side has to stand five metres behind the back foot of the scrum, giving more space to the attaching side.

The Southern Hemisphere has adopted 22 new laws but when the new season starts here on August 1st we will only use 13.

Interesting times ahead and more headaches for officials and players.

Comments (0) »

Show/Hide comment form

Name

Email

Title

Comment

Write the displayed characters

Add Comment