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The decisions are being made on the future of our game now
It is a relief that it is getting close being solved and we can get on with it!
I have to congratulate the IRB for giving it a swing , especially employing the likes of Rod McQueen and Ian Mac to guide the game through this time, it is a sign of mature and growing game that this has happened.
But the facts are if the officials supported the refs , we wouldn't need to change the laws at all.
There is no doubt the collapsed rolling maul was one of the dumbest things they have done, but this has been driven by the need to bring more flow...it hasn't worked
The Short arm free kicks are led to more restrictions for play , especially in the attacking team half, let alone 22 and more scrums, especially in the area of the attacking teams 50
I would have like to see the crooked lineout become a shortarm, why should a team be allowed to compete for the ball if they lack a skill in the game to throw the ball straight in the Lineout?
I hope the quick throw, the inability to pass back into the 22 and the 5 metres defensive lines in the scrum are kept, even if the last law doesn't have the space it promised ( 10 m??)
My hope is now that the rolling maul has returned, we will see rucking and a LOT more yellow cards for slowing the ball down ...this should send Richie Mc Caw packing...and the better the game would be!
The paranoid are worried that the return " Rucking" will see rucking of the head and face....I doubt if that will happen , especially with 20 cameras at every game!
Overall, its been worth the trial, but in fairness some of the games in the ML ( The first 50mins of the Ulster v Leinster comes to mind) have been better , than the S14.
It also comes down the fact, as a professional game, it is about WINNING not entertainment... a word that is sprayed about by people who nothing about the game (ie the media that is slowly drowning in it's own vomit and bile like Newspapers and FTA TV)
Until there is more return for Risk, we will see more teams grind out winning results in Rugby
Thoughts?