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Four examples of the 50:22 in action from the Prem, URC and Top14
The new 50:22 Law variation which is now on global trial across all of rugby union’s major leagues is starting to be deployed by professional teams.
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Under the 55:22 law, a team will retain the lineout throw if they kick the ball into touch inside the opposition 22m from inside their own half provided that the ball is not kicked directly into touch. The halfway line is deemed to be “inside their own half”. The ball may not be touched by any player.
This 50:22 law trial is intended to create space, encouraging defending players to drop out of the defensive line in order to prevent their opponents from kicking for touch, reducing the impact of defensive line speed.
Yet while the Law is designed to create more space, until defences adjust, in the short term it could see more lineout maul drives resulting in tries, a scoring mechanism that hardly lends itself to entertaining rugby and which already dominates the game more than most would like. Within the current Law framework, attacking lineouts are incredibly difficult to defend and have become an attacking weapon favoured by the sport’s most successful teams.
ᴛʜʀᴇᴀᴅ: New laws in the #GallagherPrem 👮♂️
Up to speed on the 50:22 kicks, goal-line drop-outs, and breakdown changes this season?
No worries if not, Craig Maxwell-Keys takes us through them 👇
Read more ➡️ https://t.co/631LJd4X3j pic.twitter.com/EmQdEtGSCY
— Premiership Rugby (@premrugby) September 17, 2021
To quote retired referee Nigel Owens: “If it works out the way we’re hoping it does, it’s going to benefit the game because you’re going to need another guy back to cover those touchlines in the 22 and that means there’s one less guy in the defence, so hopefully that will open up space for attacking rugby. What you don’t want is that teams will rely on just kick and kick and kick to get that possession in the 22. It’s going to be very interesting to see how that pans out in the nitty-gritty of tournaments and must-win games.”
In the last few weeks, there have a number of great examples of teams’ using the law to good effect. Worcester Warriors Owen Williams was one of the first in the Premiership to bag one, with this effort against London Irish.
How good was the first 50/22 kick at Sixways? 🎯
@owenwillz10 🏹 pic.twitter.com/kElA6zxk58
— Worcester Warriors (@WorcsWarriors) September 20, 2021
In the URC, Cardiff scored off a brilliant 50:22 kick from Hallam Amos, but again the try for Liam Belcher was as a result of a lineout maul drive.
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Pinpoint from @Hallam_Amos ➡️ 50:22 ➡️ Try Time!@LiamBelcher completes the @Cardiff_Rugby victory! #URC | #CDFCON pic.twitter.com/Jnnkk6J5LG
— BKT United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial) September 24, 2021
Back in the Gallagher Premiership, Harlequins star Louis Lyanagh perfectly executed a 50:22 against Exeter Chiefs in Sandy Park, turning a defending set inside his own half into an attacking one moments later.
Now 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 is how to do a 50/22 👟🏉👌@LynaghLouis 👏@FalconsRugby 🆚 @Harlequins #GallagherPrem highlights and full match replay ➡️ https://t.co/c9PuRZ2sP9 pic.twitter.com/zmj7h9mfC2
— Premiership Rugby (@premrugby) September 20, 2021
Biarritz’s Brett Herron also landed this beach against Racing in the Top 14.
Some 50/22 kick by Biarritz’s Brett Herron #TOP14 pic.twitter.com/DJnG9q2KDY
— Brett Igoe (@brettruganalyst) September 18, 2021
Though it was relatively successfully used in Super Rugby at the start of the year, it will be fascinating to see how the Law pans out in the northern hemisphere, where sides more heavily rely on tactical kicking. Former Leinster fullback Rob Kearney kicked a beaut against the Rebels for the Western Force way back in March.
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. @KearneyRob with an immaculate example of a 50/22
Credit: @StanSportAU #FORvREB pic.twitter.com/Ym42DHP5NY
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) March 12, 2021
As ever, it may be a case of the law of unintended consequences. While the law is designed to free up space for attacking players, it clearly rewards kicking inside one’s own half. As ever, the proof of the pudding will be in the eating.
Comments on RugbyPass
It’ll be very interesting to see how Razor’s AB’s handle the new England rush D. It’s basically the Bok recipe they copied, so if England goes well then we know most likely the Boks will go well too. If England cops a hiding then we’ll have to study and adapt.
4 Go to commentsTypical trait of an australian is to moan. Goes well with there lack of humbleness as evident by the Reds bench on the weekend.
2 Go to commentsSBW’s bro’town commentary and lazy default to hyperbole should be ignored, a technical analyst he is not. Sotutu is a good player when games get goosey loosey, high skill set that fans of Zinzan recall with starry eyes. But you need power and mongrel at no8 in the Test arena and Sotutu gets found wanting there, much like Akira Ioane. No8’s like Zinzan and Ardie have bucketloads of mongrel and power and tenacity which allow the skill sets to flourish.
11 Go to commentsAn inside pass to attacker on the angle can make a drift defence look lead footed. Relies on fleet footed forward/s to get across from the breakdown. An argument for the smaller faster 7 perhaps?
4 Go to commentsSensational tackle. The reds one was late and rightly penalised. The other two were simultaneous with the pass. If nitpicking TMOs can’t find fault there clearly isn’t any.
2 Go to commentsBrumbies fully deserved their win on the back of their physicality and desire to control the ball. Xavier Numia, Asafo Aumua and Tyrel Lomax should be the ABs starting front row when we start our test schedule. They have “come of age” and have bested all they have faced as well as been dominant with ball in hand in making the gainline. With De Groot, Tamaiti Williams and Fletcher Newell backed up by Taukei'aho and Cody Taylor there's not an international front row that can trouble us. Can't wait to face the Boks over there, won't be no one point game this time.
5 Go to commentsKinda strange that he wasn’t with a premiership team or a higher level of rugby? Start playing late or something? With that kind of size and athleticism you’d think someone would have picked him up?
2 Go to commentsShows how much attitude matters. Last week the Brumbies got done, this week they dominated the tournament leaders, who were likely thinking they could cruise to victory.
5 Go to commentsA Turtle has more pace and leg drive than Owen Franks, so it’s a good thing he only had to run 90 metres for that try.
2 Go to commentsOh Tamati Tua was in the vastly over-rated Leon MacDonalds Blues system? Well, no wonder he was wasted, much like Emoni Narawa and Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens under MacDonald. now look at them. Good thing Tua isn’t eligible, the Aussies latch on to any player who isn’t tied down.
5 Go to commentsMark Telea is a lot of things, but a defensive juggernaut has never been one of them. There will be far bigger tests in that regard for the youngster.
11 Go to commentsLove and respect to Fiji but not a chance outside of 7s
4 Go to commentsGood summation Ned. Agree the Canes were out-muscled for once (except at the scrum!) by a focused Brumbies outfit. Tua deserves consideration for higher honors after the way he humbled Jordie and the Canes defense. Thankfully, his lack of eligibility for Oz keeps him from Joe’s plans. While I also agree the injuries affected the Canes performance, some players seemed to lack focus and intensity for this match. Perhaps after the Blues demolished the Brumbies, they thought it was going to be easy? A good reminder that any slip up in preparation can have a big affect on the result. Brumbies deserved that win.
5 Go to commentsKarl Dixon should never have been appointed this fixture, absolute disgrace, He’s not much of a referee anyway, didn't have the balls to send his mate care off
5 Go to commentsBrilliant article! Harry of 8/9
4 Go to comments‘UK athletes' have been in the NFL from the start.
2 Go to commentsIt’s going to be Scott Barrett. He’s the coaches mate and captain of a previously elite team. Ardie a great option but scooter has worked with the coach and Ardie still as big a leader as needed.
23 Go to commentsI commend Colin Scotts bio All Balls. He was the first Aussie to make it to NFL. But he was poached and did a full apprenticeship at the University of Hawaii. He was 130kgs surfed played 1st grade cricket etc. big guy by normal but not NFL standards and a top athlete. Even then the nfl were picking up Tongans and Samoans for their natural size and explosive power. They want explosive power not cardio from the big boys so a guy like Taniela Tupou would have been good if picked up young enough. He has fast twitch and they’d bulk the little lad up and give him something to do. soccer teams set up academies and look for Over Sara’s talent eg Messi was at Barcelona since a teenager and harry kewell went to Leeds as a teenager like 16 or something.
11 Go to commentsThe article alludes to the fact that this isn’t about picking a captain. But picking a great captain. So who would make for a great All Black captain - not just an obvious or safe shoo-in? I’m not sure Ardie’s the guy and Barret doesn’t stand out either.
23 Go to commentsI guess we may all agree on the fact, that the ABs and Boks are the two in contest for No 1 in rugby history (the triple-A sort of) …. the Wallabies, England and France are the next tier, with Ireland being the new kid in town (AA) …. in my view it makes little sense creating imaginary competitions (unless you have too much time to waste)
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