Chaos the constant in modern game
2 Mar 2009
Teams that dominate the set-pieces are no longer rewarded, every referee calls the breakdown differently while nobody knows what to expect. Welcome to the chaos of the Super 14.
After three weeks and 21 games the only constant has been the chaos. Be it at the breakdown or in each referee’s individual interpretation of the indefinable hybrid ELVs, the rugby’s been difficult to enjoy. The skill-level’s been poor, the execution lacking, and the public interest on the wane. One has only to look at the sparsely-populated Australasian stadiums to confirm the fans are no longer into this chaotic aberration.
The rugby’s been difficult to enjoy because it’s no longer built on the premise of domination and reward. Teams that capitalise on turnover ball now win rugby matches -an old exception that’s now become the norm. The vultures now flourish while the bigger beasts find themselves in terrain unsuited to their physical superiority. How did the rugby landscape degenerate to such a degree?
The introduction of the hybrid ELVs was marketed as a boost to the game as a free-flowing spectacle and fans were told the new laws would make for a faster and more exciting game. After 21 matches in 2009, I’d be lying if I said I’ve been entertained.
Honestly, I’ve been more amused by Jan parading in his orange Crocs while Robbie Wessels and his harem mince about in the background. For those not resident in South Africa, it’s a television advert detailing the activities of a Springbok fan who’s gained admiration from the top players because of his loyal support.
If Jan really existed, I’m sure he’d be equally disappointed with the current standard. If Jan was a paying customer, he’d demand his money back. Rugby’s no longer the game played by our forefathers, and although the sport has evolved over the past two centuries, it’s only in the last two years where the changes have threatened to rob the sport of its very identity.
The Super 14 has begun to lose structure, and there’s been no answer to why the hybrid ELVs were retained while the rest of the world continued to subscribe to a more widely accepted rule-set. The Super 14 sees a high number of breakdown turnovers as players know they can compete for the ball without fear of conceding a penalty and thus the three points. The high number of free kicks also encourage attacking teams to play quickly or kick for territory, but in most instances, this requires a collective understanding and accuracy that is unapparent in even the tournament’s most skilled teams.
The application of the breakdown laws is also inexcusably subjective. Schalk Burger told a media gathering last week you have to plan for the referee who will be blowing a particular match. You will also have to adapt to how he calls the game on matchday.
Since there is no hard and fast rule on penalisation at the breakdown and how many free-kicks constitute a yellow-card offence, it really does depend on the individual’s call. Depending on the referee, a team can either get away with murder or be mercilessly crucified for minor sins.
The definitive question is why this should be so. The breakdown is the most important area of the game and every team invests plenty of time working at this facet ahead of every match. They have to adjust their preparations for an official, and then they have to adjust on the day if that referee decides to be stricter than usual. What nonsense.
It’s clear the hybrid laws haven’t bettered the standard of play. There are more attacking opportunities what with the increase in the speed of proceedings, but ultimately the result is more miss than hit as players’ skill-levels struggle to adapt.
You expect to see mistakes in every match, but the current error-rate across the board suggests something is not right. Big changes are expected to the Super Rugby structure by 2010, but Sanzar need to move past this unhealthy infatuation with the hybrid ELVs. It doesn’t help the Test players and evidently it’s no longer pulling the crowds who obviously favour a more traditional contest over the current run-amok.
By Jon Cardinelli
21 Comments
2 Mar 2009, 13:13 pm
Chaotic dragons
2 Mar 2009, 13:14 pm
screw the elvs!
2 Mar 2009, 13:18 pm
Whining, whining….
2 Mar 2009, 13:28 pm
That’s a bit of a scratchy article..things are quite hectic out there but by and large teams are indeed being rewarded. Sharks on Sat was an example. They played a great game in the forwards, generally fronted up as they say, and got the win in the end.
set pieces – well the scrum is probably even more important. I really think that’s where the Stormers, Cheetahs and Lions are struggling a bit.
The one law i would definitely change back is the pulling down of rolling mauls. Rucking is gone – why do away with mauls too? A good mauling side actually sucks opposition forwards in and creates space outside. Plus the emphasis on solid lineouts leading to mauling will return.
BRING BACK MAULING!
2 Mar 2009, 13:30 pm
#4 Marino: Agree
2 Mar 2009, 13:42 pm
What I really don’t like about ELVIS is the constant meaningless kicking.
2 Mar 2009, 13:45 pm
I think this article is pretty spot on. The one rule that is really grating me is no passing back into the 22. Its just lead to pointless kicking! From outside one 22 kick to outside the other 22. Thats all that happens! Can anyone get the stats for the avg number of kicks in a game? I think it must be about 50, and thats in 80mins of play! Its a joke!
And yes, bring back mauling!
Oh and those robbie wessles ads are pretty good!
2 Mar 2009, 13:47 pm
#6 Loosehead: Agree fully. Dont get me wrong there is a place for kicking, just look at the sharks game from the weekend. But this pointless kicking infieled and waiting for the other team to attck is killing me!
2 Mar 2009, 13:48 pm
IMO the games have looked a bit like chaos partly due to the laws but a big factor is the number of inexzperienced players in the comp this year. There are a lot of guys that have gone over to Europe and I think the rookies will take some time to settle in.
2 Mar 2009, 14:03 pm
#8 I wanna be coach: It looks just like a hybrid of Aussie rules and league.
2 Mar 2009, 14:09 pm
#10 Loosehead: Mixed with some school boys playing gaining ground at break!
2 Mar 2009, 14:41 pm
There is chaos because every ref.has a different interpretation
of immediately,some say it is a long as it takes you to spell it,
others without delay,it is the same with the scrum, all have
a different tempo in crouch,pause,engage.Some refs.get it right
and have a certain rhythm, to which the front rows easily adapt,
others pause so long after pause,that I sometimes wonder if the
props have fallen asleep,because they immediately go down
on contact.So I think teams that adjust the quickest to the ref,
and read him better are the teams who get on top and that
makes them the ‘better’ team.
2 Mar 2009, 15:18 pm
Jan is a legend. I if got his autograph on my backside i wouldn’t stort.
2 Mar 2009, 15:23 pm
I told you tinkerbelles years ago that the ELVs will ruin the game and then everyone gave me ****. Told me I was stupid.
Now you okes are all crying because the game has become Aussie league.
Now you must pay for your sissy sins. Enjoy your headless chicken rugby.
2 Mar 2009, 15:28 pm
#13 ELVS: roflmao I love that ad
2 Mar 2009, 23:27 pm
another thing: the ELV’s supposedly allow the bigger teams to take scrums at free kicks, while smaller faster teams will try and speed the game up with a tao kick. BUT: since no mauling is nowpossible, what is the use of having a large forward pack? Rather get a smaller, faster forward pack ,and teach them better scrumming technique!
I miss the mauls- it was a way to suck in players, a real test of strength against strength.
I WANT MAULS BACK!!!!
3 Mar 2009, 00:09 am
not saying that I disagree with this but one thing is for certain, the SOutherne Hemisphere tyeams still dominate which means we must be doing something right. Under the new rules it is unlikely that England would have won the WC. Prior to the ELV’s the rules seemed to have the balalnce right. The lineout laws aand the scrummaging laws all we well thought out but the emnphasis on the breakdown and the inconsisitency has ruined the game to some extent
3 Mar 2009, 05:05 am
keo’s not far from the truth here. the refereeing inconsistency at the breakdown is laughable. the reason we are seeing so much aimless kicking is because teams cannot keep the ball for more than 6 or 8 phases without turning it over.
the rules expected to speed the game up have turned it into a lottery.
teams that choose not to attack are rewarded as they force opposition into mistakes.
but i still love my rugby and will keep watching in the hope the fix the mess.
3 Mar 2009, 08:19 am
Cant agree more with what you say Jon. The standard of the rugby in the S14 we have seen so far is down compared to previous years and the chaos as you described it above is partly to blame.
When the British Lions arrive our players will be used to this “low” standard and could be in for a rude awakening.
3 Mar 2009, 08:26 am
bryce lawrence……….nuff said.
3 Mar 2009, 13:12 pm
I miss rugby
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