Andrew: Law changes needed

Current laws are killing the game insists RFU director

By Ally Fisher   Last updated: 2nd December 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Andrew: Law changes needed

Andrew: Concerned

We're all in agreement that the spectacle of the game has changed and that's a concern.

Martyn Thomas
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Rob Andrew, the RFU's director of elite rugby, has warned the International Rugby Board that the current laws are killing the game.

The IRB have confirmed that there will be no rule changes before the next World Cup in 2011.

Despite extensive issues over the regulation of the ruck and tackle areas, Andrew believes the current game being played is driving spectators away.

"I'm very concerned that attendances will start to decline unless changes are made. I think we're seeing it already," he said.

"You just have to talk to people in the game, including some of the coaches who have said they're turning the TV off themselves when they're watching matches.

"There is a concern within the game. Now you're better off without the ball than with it, which isn't what rugby should strive for."

The RFU are urging the IRB to overhaul the laws that have been blamed for the recent injury crisis and the safety-first tactics employed by teams.

Review

With only 2.2 tries scored on average during the autumn internationals, many insist the laws thwart any ambition to attack - devaluing the entertainment factor from the game.

Although there is a promise of a review next year, any changes between now and 2011 would solely be made for safety reasons.

Chairman of the RFU's management board Martyn Thomas insists the loyalty of supporters must not be taken lightly.

He said: "We're very lucky in England that we have an amazingly loyal spectator base but you have to accept the trust they've put in

"We want to make sure they've left saying they've watched a great game of rugby and I'm concerned that's not going to happen.

"We're all in agreement that the spectacle of the game has changed and that's a concern."

Comments (11)

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Martin Tilby says...

I am a amateur player and the new laws have not stopped us from playing attacking rugby in hand very rarely do we kick unless it is in our 22.. Seems to be as rugby gets more popular, more money gets involved so playing save gurantees results and this equals more money, rugby should not be about money it is about 2 teams going out to play and win and entertain the crowd... I think you should only be allowed to kick the ball from the 22 any where else on the field should be grubber kicks as it is part of the attack to make the defending team turn..

Posted 07:28 4th December 2009

Jamie Darko says...

I've been playing this great game for the last 12 years and I have to say I am slowly falling out of love with it. This is because the days are gone where anyone can pick up a rugby ball or join a club and play. It is no longer about finesse, agility and attractive play. Unless you are an 18 stone battering ram, whether you are a prop or wing, then rugby is no longer an option. Its not surprising we see so little tries and have so many injuries nowadays when you literally have an army of tanks on either side. The brawn over brain style of play is killing the sport, rule changes or no rule changes, rugby is becoming boring.

Posted 05:46 4th December 2009

Pete Rob says...

I agree with Howard, rugby has become a defensive battle more than a scoring game and if that means spoiling the opposition¿s ball then so be it. What does that leave us as die hard supporters with? As much as some people despise John O¿Neil (administrator of rugby Australia), but he was the one who identified a slump in rugby union and who better than a man that has 3 codes of rugby competing for sponsorship in his country than him. This was 2 years ago when the southern hemisphere starting trialling the hybrid ELV¿s and yet the biggest opponents of these new rules was the Northern Hemisphere? Despite all the complicated new rules he tried to introduce an expansive running rugby game, but yes the breakdown still needs serious attention and no one not even the refs knows what really should be going on there. As Howard was saying, as an attacking team carries the ball and has the momentum, surely they should get the benefit of the doubt when the ball goes to ground. Unfortunately bodies are flying in from all directions, unpunished and the attacking team gets punished?? Internationals usually follow this pattern unfortunately, but the Heineken cup definitely will not. So happier times around the corner speak to you all soon!!!

Posted 02:44 4th December 2009

Damian Mcgeown says...

For all those who are at a loss, there is always grass roots rugby or worse still rugby league for that bit of flare, running with the ball. You play to win, not to give the paying punter a show. And I do understand it is the fans that pay a slight percentage of the player¿s salary, but so does winning tournaments. Ask a young player if he wishes to put a show on for the fan or lift the Webb-Ellis Trophy, I know which I would have chosen.

Posted 19:55 3rd December 2009

Gary Owen says...

I think Mr Andrew is right about the rule changes, but I sincerely believe that other factors also affect the spectators' enjoyment of the sport. I think the people who run rugby union have lost sight of the fact that rugby union is probably the toughest sport in the world and the vast majority of supporters are mature people with traditional values - the following are extremely contrary to these values: Premiership play-offs - a league is a league is a league - play-offs are a crass money making exercise - even the money grabbers in football do not debase their premier league in this way. Moronic music blasted out when points are scored - we are not Americans and we can celebrate without help. Misguided marketing men may believe that it creates atmosphere when in fact the opposite is the case. Moving pitchside advertisements - extremely distracting Television refereeing - destroys the spontaneity of a score and is not always correct anyway. Television cameras are not the solution they are the problem, because the refs are so concerned about making an error they nearly always 'go upstairs'. When Mark Cueto scored against South Africa in the world cup final it was obvious that once it went to the TMO he would watch it until he found a reason to cancel out the try

Posted 15:30 3rd December 2009

Grahame Gadd says...

What is wrong with the old law where the tacking man can only pick up the ball up or contest for the beyond the player. For example the when the ball and the attacker is tackled and both players are on the ground the tackler has to get up and step over the man before going for the ball, and not like the in-fashion lean over with a low body position and scramble for the ball slowing it down. The next defender cannot go for the ball unless he too has driven over the ball. This is a step back but it will work and the tackle area will become less of a scramble and more of a contest. Perhaps even the tackler cannot go for the ball? Either way, the phase play of Rugby is dull now, defences are too strong, tries are really only scored now on counter ball or first phase. In short, when I went to the NZ England game, I was expecting a rout and was there to watch the Haka and the Kiwi¿s thank god England turned up for once, but even in this game the flop defence Richie McCaw does is disruptive and slows the game down, all other 7¿s now adapt this and it needs to be changed.

Posted 13:51 3rd December 2009

George Webb says...

It is not the laws killing the game - It is how technical application of the laws have forced the game of rugby to be officiated differently, depending which hemisphere you are from. Rugby is such a simple game to play and can be extremely exiting to watch at any level. The rugby bosses need to go back to basics of rugby and stop complicating the game of rugby. I am a South African living in the UK and believe players from both hemispheres should be included when changing or adding rules. Not just the referees and rugby administrators. The games after all is for the players first, then the spectators!

Posted 13:17 3rd December 2009

C Mc says...

The current rules are stifling the game, and are penalizing any invention. As in the recent Scotland matches, a Team with no invention or attack, was able to just sit back and defend, hoping that through penalties, and missed chases, they could win. And it worked pretty well. Even the current World Champions play to the current rules, which is no fault of theirs, as they the rules, but given such a talented Team, it is disappointing to see them time and again, just grind out results, as the laws reward strong defense, at the cost of excitement and attack. We all want to see strong Teams who can defend well, but wouldn¿t we all prefer that invention, attack and flare be equally rewarded?

Posted 21:27 2nd December 2009

Howard Carter says...

Being 73 yrs. of age & involved in rugby most of my life, I am at a loss when it comes to understanding this modern game of rugby. After all these years, I would love to br able to understand the laws & see what they do wrong, off your feet, coming in from the side, handlling the ball on the floor,etc. I thougt that it was a handling game, with tackling allowed, what happened to passing the ball in a backwards direction, being in front of the ball when you should of been joining the game from behind the ball, where did the offside disapear the knock on. Please help me & rugby men understand something that we have been doing for over 50 years. sincerly HJCC.orrufc

Posted 19:23 2nd December 2009

Jezza Jezza says...

i don't tend to agree with andrew but in this case I do...having tried to watch the super 14 (i turned off because it was so boring, all kicking etc) I remembered watching when it first started and what a difference it is now...I think the next world cup will be very dull and not many tries and the results will be decided by the boots of the penalty kickers and drop goal specialists....not what union is all about...too much like league and look at what is happening to their attendances, especially in Aus where it is supposed to be the major sport

Posted 19:00 2nd December 2009

Chris Stubbs says...

I am a very keen england fan and a very big fan of rugby. The problem isnt just the laws within the game, especially with england. We play boring, very boring rugby!!!!! I think that Martin Johnston is a very capable and has the potential to be a very good manager. but its the support staff that he has and the background staff that he has which is letting him down. the biggest mistake we did was to let shawn edwards slip through our fingers. even if johnston become 2IC to a more experienced coach for a while maybe or get someone else who has proven coaching experience at international level with success like gatland, and have them to help johnston. but i think we need to get rid of the background staff. not just the laws!!!!

Posted 18:31 2nd December 2009
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