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.
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.
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.
Comments on RugbyPass
Some dumb selections there. Not Porecki Not Donaldson Not Gordon Not Lonegran - both Not Nic White - Fines instead Not Liam Wright Not Paisami Definitely not Vunivalu Other than that not bad.
1 Go to commentsI've never been convinced that Patty T is a test match all black. Otherwise I probably agree it's the best side available to beat the poms. Caveat that Codie Taylor is yet to be seen and could very likely warrant selection by June. I hope that Razor brings the young loosies, half backs and locks into the training squad and develops/ selects the best
7 Go to commentsYou doing the same thing I disliked about the example of Samisoni Taukei'aho, Nick. He’s great the way he is, you’re trying to do what modern-day coaches frustrate me doing, turning everyone into the perfect athlete. Next thing you’ll be telling me you’ll bench him until he’s hit that arbitrary marker, and can’t overtake the current guy who’s doing all his workons. He’s a young Kieran Read, through and through, plays wide and has threat, mainly (and evident in your clips) through his two hand carry and speed. Just let him work on that, or whatever he wants, and determine his own future. Play God and you risk the players going sideways, like Read did, instead of being a Toutai Kefu. I mean I was in the same camp for a while, wanting our tight five to have the size, and carry ability, as the teams they were getting beat by. Now I’m starting to believe those teams just have better skilled and practiced individuals, bigger by upwards of 5kg sometimes, sure, but more influentially they have those intrinsic skills of trust and awareness. Basically our guys just didn’t know wtf they were doing. Don’t think I’m trying to prove a point here but hasn’t Caleb Clarke been in much better form this year, or does he just ‘look’ better now that he’s not always trying to use his size?
44 Go to commentsThe pack lacks a little in height for the line out and I wouldn’t be completely convinced by some of the combinations till we see it in action.
7 Go to commentsThe side is good but lacks experience. International playing bona fides udually trumps super rugby form for good reason. And incumbents are usually stuck with. Codie Taylor should start or come off the bench. B Barrett will start at fullback. Blackadder has not earned the position, Finau has. TJs experience and competitiveness earns him a starting role, Christie or Ratima off the bench
7 Go to commentsPretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
7 Go to commentsI question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to commentsJacobsen will definitely be in the 23
7 Go to commentsLots of discussion points, Ben, but two glaring follies IMO: 1. Blackadder at 6. Has done nothing so far this season to justify his selection. Did you see him going backwards in contact at the weekend? Simply has not got the physical presence at 6: we need a Scott Barrett or a Finau (or wildcard Ah Kuoi), beasts who are big enough to play lock, like Frizzell. If Barret played at 6, Paddy could be joined at lock by Vai’i or one of the young giants we need to promote, like Darry or Lord (if he ever gets on the field). Blackadder best left to join the queue for 7. 2. Not even a mention for Christie? Ratima gets caught at crucial times at the back of the ruck when he hesitates on the pass. The only way he starts would be if Christie and TJ are injured.
7 Go to commentsWhat a dagg in more ways than one
6 Go to commentsRegroup come back next year but sack some of the coaching team and don't be like the ABs last minute sacking. If Crusaders don't do well ABs don't do well.
5 Go to commentsProctor Definitely inform again this year had a hell of a season last year and this year is looking even better. Still mixed feelings about Ioane tho.
4 Go to commentsDagg is still trying to get enough headlines to make himself relevant enough to get a job. The Crusaders went back to square one at all levels. Shelve this season and nail the next one.
6 Go to commentsHe was in such great form. Sad for him but only a short term injury and it will be great to see him back for the finals.
1 Go to commentsAfter their 5/0 start, I had the Crusaders to finish Top 4 only…they lost the plot in Perth but will reload and back themselves vs 4th placed Rebels…
5 Go to commentsBoth nations missed a great opportunity to book a game that would have had a lot of interest from around the world. I understand these games can’t be organised in 5 minutes but they should have found a way to make it happen. I don’t think Wales are ducking anyone but it’s a bad look haha.
3 Go to commentsIt will be fascinating to see the effect that Jo Yapp has. If they can compete with Canada and give BFs a run for their money that will be progress
1 Go to commentsFollowing his dream and putting in the work. Go well young fella!
3 Go to commentsPerhaps filling Twickenham is one of Mitchell’s KPIs. I doubt whether both September matches will be at Twickenham on consecutive weekends. I would take the BF one to a large provincial stadium so as not to give them the advantage and experience of playing at Twickenham before a large crowd prior to the RWC.
3 Go to commentsvery unfortunate for Kitshoff, but big opportunity potentially for Nché to prove he is genuinely the best loosehead in the world, rather than just a specialist finisher. Presuming that if Kitshoff is out, it will also give Steenekamp a chance to come into the 23? Or are others likely to be ahead of him?
1 Go to comments