Super boost for superb rugby, writes Cameron Shepherd
Super boost for superb rugby, writes Cameron Shepherd
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NO NONSENSE: Western Force winger Cameron Shepherd says Super rugby is entering a exciting new phase. Picture: Richard Hatherly Source: PerthNow
EVERY new season brings about a few minor changes to the way the game is played, but 2010 seems to be change on steroids.
The Experimental Law Variations we played under in the last couple of years have been shelved for the most part, with the so-called old laws back in Super Rugby.
The switch in laws has made the game much more exciting, as the way they're being interpreted by the referees is encouraging ball-in-hand.
The breakdown area has been cleaned up, with referees ensuring players stay on their feet and penalising those who try to spoil quick ball.
On The Rugby Club TV show this week, my old mate Drew Mitchell said Bulls captain Victor Matfield kicked for touch six times from positions that, traditionally, he could've kicked for goal.
The Bulls beat the Waratahs 48-38 in a great display of attacking, exciting rugby.
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It says a lot about the competition that the Bulls were top of the table after Week 3 with maximum points AND playing a great style of rugby.
There are some form players in our competition, none hotter than Bulls flyhalf Morne Steyn.
He has all the skills in controlling his team around the park, kicking for goal, kicking for territory, as well as scoring a few tries himself.
He's a point-scoring machine and his game has evolved for the better.
Wallabies skipper Rocky Elsom has taken no time to reassert himself in the competition, having played a season for Leinster before joining the Brumbies.
Rocky never seems too intense off the field, but is totally different on it.
One of his nicknames in Camp Wallaby was "Beserko", because of the way he played.
Watch out for the recently returned Lelia Masaga, who scored against us last weekend on his return from injury.
He's not the biggest bloke going around, but is incredibly powerful and has jet shoes.
Despite the Emirates Western Force's slow start to the season, we're heading in an exciting and positive direction, as is rugby.
It all bodes well for the game as a spectacle, especially with the 2011 Rugby World Cup looming.
This is our bye weekend, so the boys got to freshen up. A number of us were at the Wildcats game on Friday, and the Force boys would like to wish them luck in the rest of the Grand Final series. Bring the title back to Perth Cats.
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