Rule book needs a rethink

While many of us love the game of rugby, more pressure ought to be put on World Rugby to drastically change its rules if we want to halt the drift towards becoming an unwatchable sport.

It is no secret that when everything is at stake in high-pressure situations, the top-level teams often play to enforce a penalty in their favour. The ball is then kicked out for the lineout feed, setting up a driving maul, leading to either a try or the next penalty – a repeated cycle often referred to as “playing ugly rugby”.

Everything starts at the scrum, which for such teams is no longer a starting point of quick attacking possession for the backline. They prefer to keep the ball in the scrum in order to enforce the penalty.

The resulting decline in skillful backline attacking play has been noticeable in the modern game. Most teams would rather select the muscular player who defends well over the one who with the vision and quick hands to attack the space.

However, no one should realistically expect any drive towards rule changes so soon before the World Cup tournament in France starts in September.

Teams are already preparing intensively, within the existing rules, for the World Cup. They will not lift a finger to get any such process started, because some, like the Springboks, have had their success built precisely on a masterful use of these rules.

In fact, any country will only take a stand when it is on the receiving end of an illogical refereeing decision during the tournament that could lead to its elimination.

One also cannot expect support from the many analysts and commentators either, because they focus on what is happening within the existing rules.

What player would risk his career - and income - to rebel against the existing regulatory order for the sake of the game?

For referees, the higher the level of competition, the sharper the criticism. Referees these days give the impression that they are afraid of not applying the letter of the law/rule. Can you blame them?

Thanks to the rule-makers, they have to apply rules that are unfair and impractical. One might ask: Why don’t they take a stand against such nonsense? Again, it is a case of self-interest and financial survival.

They would rather complain about how the criticism hits too close to home for them personally. What about the players and the coaches who are often on the receiving end of decisions?

I’m not against referees, but if the rules make it impossible to do their jobs, they must speak out against those rules.

A gap exists where referees sometimes know the rules, but do not understand the game and the situation the player finds himself in.

Does the referee - who so easily gives a free kick because, in his opinion, one team collapsed into the scrum too soon - understand all the forces (just under a tonne from both the front and the back) acting on that front row?

And what about the free kick because the front row’s feet slip? Some understanding of the situation could mitigate disciplinary problems.

It seems rugby will only become the game it is supposed to be again when the money - that is, the power - that keeps the professional game going insists on some immediate remedies.