'Need some leadership': Sir Steve Hansen wants more 'common sense' in rugby
Former All Blacks coach Sir Steve Hansen has called on World Rugby to show “some leadership” ahead of this year’s Rugby World Cup, due to some issues facing the sport.
On face value, international rugby has never been this exciting.
The countdown to this year’s World Cup is well and truly on, and the sport has never been in a better position.
There are at least eight teams who can beat each other on their day, and they’ll all travel to France later this year daring to dream of eternal glory at the sports premier event.
While rugby immortality awaits those who hoist the Webb Ellis Trophy, rugby fans around the world just hope that the winner is crowned on merit and not controversy.
The term ‘grey area’ has become a relatively common phrase within rugby circles, with some decisions even perplexing those who consider themselves tragics.
Yellow and red cards marred test match after test match last year, and penalties have seemingly become more prevalent than ever before – there were about 30 awarded during the England vs New Zealand clash last year.
Two-time Rugby World Cup winner Sir Steve Hansen wants World Rugby to “involve the current coaches and players” in some discussions about the future of the sport.
“We need some leadership from World Rugby around those points, but they need to be common sense things and they need to involve the current coaches and players,” Hansen said, as reported by Stuff.
“So we can come up with something that says ‘righto, so this will work and this will allow us to play the game’.”
Last year’s women’s World Cup final between hosts New Zealand and favourites England was a thrilling clash between two proud rugby nations – but the decider was marred by controversy.
The Red Roses raced out an early 14-nil lead, and appeared to be well on their way to World Cup glory.
But disaster struck as winger Lydia Thompson was sent off for a high tackle on her opposite Portia Woodman.
Playing with an extra player, the Black Ferns rallied in front of their home fans, and recorded an exciting three-point win at Eden Park.
But depending on who you ask, that red card was either the correct decision or incredibly wrong.
In the men’s game, England star Owen Farrell was recently handed a lengthy suspension after he was cited after a Gallagher Premiership match.
Most red cards are awarded to players on the defensive side of the ball, which has led Hansen to ask whether it’s time to “change the rules.”
“From my understanding, a lot of the injuries are happening on the tackler,” he added. “most of the red cards are against tacklers, or people entering rucks.
“So we have got to change the ruck height; because you have to be able to clean out underneath (an opponent), and at the moment if you are a jackler, and you get there first, you just can’t clean out.
“So do we change the ruck height, or do we change the rules? If someone is on the ball, you can’t clean them out. They are free. I don’t know.”
But another issue facing the sport today – and it’s arguably more concerning – is the slow speed to play due to referee interference.
The second test match between Australia and England last year, which was held at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium, was very slow.
It seemed like there was a whistle every couple of minutes.
And unfortunately for rugby union, while that’s an extreme example, it’s not uncommon for the pace of play to slow down.
“People are getting sick of stoppages. Checking this, and checking that. Maybe we need to look at that and say ‘let’s give referees the licence to have 60/40.’
“If a minimum of 60% think it’s a try, then it’s a try. And if they get the odd wrong one, then so be it.
“Just use the TMO for foul play or anything you are not certain on, if you are 50/50, then ‘righto, let’s go up.’
“You don’t have to go up for everything. And the amount of time we lose, it’s phenomenal. They reckon it’s about six or seven minutes a game. Our fans don’t want that.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Confirmed conclusively that 1. the Chiefs are a one man band 2. DMac is THE vital cog for Robertsons success with the ABs.
1 Go to commentsWrong again Nick! Shoch horror….. This article aged very quickly didnt it.
76 Go to commentsFunny how between 2008-2018 the crusaders did not win the majority of titles… it was spread evenly amongst NZ.
76 Go to commentsThe same might be happening in NZ soon. What is the point of changing the setup to englands Championship?
3 Go to commentsSack the coach.
4 Go to commentsDon’t worry about the Crusaders they have some great talent coming through.
1 Go to commentsThe Crusaders terminally ill team missing 8-9 projected starters at the beginning of the season manhandle a Chiefs team missing just DMac.
76 Go to commentsBig difference from the Crusaders last night. Hotham and McNicoll were sparks but everyone seemed dialed in. Young lock Hannah has no stop and Kellow deserves more game time based on his performance. Being captain seemed to lift Christie’s game and with Strange running the lineout there was a big improvement from Bell (including his brilliant individual try). Good to see Reihana running freely and making a solid contribution from the bench. In the absence of Burke, he makes that backline more potent. Also, good to see Aumua with more of a role. If they can back this up, they could move up the table as some of their “names” return (Barrett, Blackadder, Burke, Taylor, Williams, etc).
10 Go to commentsI think this is unduly harsh. I agree that we must hold them to high standards and that is what they produced in the second half against Italy with 14 men in their first run out for nearly 6 months trying to play an expanded game. Admittedly, the first half was at best disjointed but they worked it out sufficiently to blow Italy out of the water. No other team appears to be able to live with them over 80 minutes at the moment and they still have a huge amount of improvement to make. Their match in France will be the next acid test. That is the next real yardstick.
1 Go to commentsNot sure 700k is worth it. He’ll be coming on for the Hail Mary plays. Cannon fodder.
10 Go to commentsBest situation in the world for the potential of his success in the NFL. Cutthroat, we’ll yeah little buddy, that’s one of the reasons why, at least in the States, it is by far and away the best sports draw. The point is: It’s not only that he’d have Mahomes as his QB, and all the T. Kelce blocking bullshit needs to stop (he’s not a prototypical blocking TE ya numb nuts), it’s that he will have arguably one of the greatest football minds in Andy Reid scheming for him. In the NFL, the most important thing is situation. If the ignoramus Jets signed him, then he’d be screwed from go.
10 Go to commentsWe’re building a bridge but can't agree where the river is.
3 Go to commentsfirst no arms shoulder or helmet tackle into his rib cage is going to be so very painful even to watch. go back to RU mate.
10 Go to commentsBulls by 5. Plus another 50.
4 Go to commentsJohan Goosen avatar. Cute. Surely someone at RP knows how to do a google image search?
4 Go to commentsCan’t these games play a little earlier? Asking for a friend.
4 Go to commentsIt’s impressive that we can see huge stadiums with attendance in the 40 000 to 50 000 region. It shows how popular this competition is becoming. What is even more impressive is the massive growth in broadcast viewership. The URC is one of the two best leagues in the World, the other being the Top14.
7 Go to commentsChristie is not Sottish, like the majority of the Scotland team.
2 Go to commentsHold the phone, decline over-rated. Is it a one game, dead cat bounce or the real thing? Has the Penney dropped? Stay tuned.
76 Go to commentsTotally deserved win for the Crusaders Far smarter than the Chiefs who seem to be avoiding the basics when it matters Hotham showed them what was missing and Hannah seems a real find - a tad light but that can be fixed over time
10 Go to comments