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New World Rugby '50/22' kicking proposal has well and truly divided fans
World Rugby has proposed a number of changes in recent weeks that have divided fans significantly. The Nations Championship is something that still has swathes of critics who are yet to be won over.
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However, after the recent World Rugby symposium, it looks as though there is a new hot topic for discussion amongst fans on social media and that is the proposed 50/22 law variation.
The new trial is borrowed from rugby league’s 40/20, and would allow a team in possession to earn an attacking lineout if they kick from their own half into touch in the opponent’s 22 with the ball bouncing.
It is almost impossible to introduce a new concept like this without facing opprobrium, and that has happened in this instance.
This is what the skeptical fans are saying on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/KeithClarke1/status/1108655935982133248
https://twitter.com/glewisfed1888/status/1108651012020207616
https://twitter.com/ktf81/status/1108649507745599490
https://twitter.com/liversedge/status/1108635094233825280
https://twitter.com/CallumCouch/status/1108646999694413824
https://twitter.com/huwjpthomas/status/1108629639398862848
https://twitter.com/RichardsChris81/status/1108655649687302144
https://twitter.com/CaomhanMacandra/status/1108665806890651648
I don't agree with the 50/22 rule. Union is already a game with a lot of kicking ball away. This would not help the flow of an attacking game IMO.
— Nick Cotterill (@NNickcot) March 21, 2019
The initial fears amongst these fans is that rugby would become dominated by kicking and driving mauls. The term ‘kick tennis’ has become infused into rugby vernacular in recent years, and some think that this new proposal will lead to kicking dominating rugby at the expense of running.
However, World Rugby are saying that it will lead to the opposite. As defending sides add numbers to cover the backfield, that will create more space in the defensive line, which will facilitate more attacking rugby. Tactical kicking will still play a pivotal role in the game, if not more so, but it will also reduce the chances of an attacking team facing a defensive wall consisting of 13 or 14 players.
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With the large number of concussions remaining one of the major concerns to World Rugby, this measure is supposed to reduce the number of head-on collisions due to the increase of space in defensive lines.
This is what many of the fans that are in favour of this proposal are arguing, as there is a considerable portion of supporters that are backing this new trial. This is what they are saying:
https://twitter.com/thedeadballarea/status/1108632960650149888
https://twitter.com/phillipstaffy/status/1108655986372431872
https://twitter.com/RonnieG303/status/1108642442255974405
https://twitter.com/Horsebox1986/status/1108640074508484613
https://twitter.com/RaversgGreen/status/1108652830808858624
https://twitter.com/haydn_davies/status/1108644210025136128
Loving the 40/20 proposal
— Cillian Hogan (@Cillian_Hogan) March 20, 2019
Player welfare is at the forefront of World Rugby’s thinking, and it looks as though they are consistently trying to make rugby safer. Alongside this, other proposals are being made with the aim of reducing injuries, but as expected, this new kicking trial has split fans.
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Comments on RugbyPass
“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
11 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
9 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
11 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
22 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
4 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
9 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
35 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
35 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
14 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to commentsWhat a player! Not long until he’s in the England side, surely?
5 Go to comments