Nothing but Kick, Kick, Kick

[Puja]

Only two teams didn't get a try bonus point this week (and one of them got 3 tries). 4 of the 6 games topped 70 aggregate points (and the other two were 62 and 44). The week before, 5/6 games topped 50 points aggregate and there was an average of over 5 tries per game.

Perhaps all the articles, commentary, and hand-wringin about the death of the game and dearth of any ambition after the execrable Exeter vs Leicester opener were a tad premature*?

I think probably a better lesson to be drawn is that, when you deprive teams of half their starting XV with international commitments, it lowers the quality of the play? I'm not advocating for the players not to have their rest, cause gods know most of them need it, especially the ones that opted out of having it, but it's comedic that the Premiership is playing its opening rounds, its advertisement to new viewers and casual fans, it's grand debut, missing most of its best players.

It's no wonder that it's a commercial basketcase - if they don't treat it as special, why should anyone else? I'll say it again - fewer teams, fewer matches, no international clashes, and treat the fewer games as a special event, making up ticket sales with big games at big stadia immediately after the AIs and 6N to draw the eyes of casual viewers who tuned in to watch England.

I don't really know what my point is here. But I'm angry about SOMETHING and I'm not gonna take whatever it is anymore!

Puja


*And yes, I'll take my lumps, I did engage in a bit of hysterics about it my own self.

[Oakboy]

How many will watch Saracens v Leicester next week? I will but based on reputation etc., will it attract half-hearted neutrals?

[Puja]

How many will watch Saracens v Leicester next week? I will but based on reputation etc., will it attract half-hearted neutrals?

That would be the Saracens who have scored 9 tries and been involved in two thrilling comebacks, versus Leicester who scored 11 tries in the last 2 games? No doubt it'll turn out to be the thread title just to spite me, but Saracens have been anything but dour this season and Leicester (unsurprisingly) look a different side with their 5 England players back.

Puja

[Mellsblue]

Tbf, Leicester only scored so many tries because they won the war of attrition. Imo, it was a pretty boring game unless Saints had the ball. The other rugby I watched was the first half of Exe v Quins and I was so enthralled in that that I was researching drills to improve my u11s’ line speed in d. Tries and/or not kicking doesn’t always equal entertainment. The Champ has averaged these sort of aggregate scores for years and 90% of the teams think they’ve won the lottery if the crowd gets in to four figures, and nobody would even contemplating sticking it on telly.

I agree wholeheartedly with your penultimate para. From what I’ve heard, that is pretty much CVC’s end game, other than (proactively) wanting few teams.

All that said, it’s all moot if playing figures, school and community game, keep sliding the way they are.

[Mellsblue]

From The Times yesterday:
‘Over a decade the number of schools with an under-18 C team has dropped from 226 to 151. In a shorter period the number of under-18 D teams has halved… under-14 A teams have dropped in two years from 658 to 612.’
The RFU had to bring in a whole new bunch of rules this summer to get games played due to the drop in player numbers.

[fivepointer]

Think the rugby generally has been pretty good. Plenty of good games, close scores and some terrific tries being scored. Its not all BaaBaas style end to end but I think the clubs have cottoned on to the fact that they have to make an effort to put something out that will attract people.

The on field "product" is shaping up well but off the field....oh dear. PRL & the RFU really need to sit down and work out just where they want the game to go. Fewer teams and games with internationals present would seem to be a no brainer.

And yes, the drop in young players at school and in the recreational game is quite stark.

[Banquo]

From The Times yesterday:
‘Over a decade the number of schools with an under-18 C team has dropped from 226 to 151. In a shorter period the number of under-18 D teams has halved… under-14 A teams have dropped in two years from 658 to 612.’
The RFU had to bring in a whole new bunch of rules this summer to get games played due to the drop in player numbers.

I think the ‘rot’ is worse in senior rugby. My club ran 6 teams plus colts (and M and Y) in the mid 80’s. Now it has one regular senior team plus a stragglers side. The reasons why are clear but can’t see a fix tbh

[Puja]

Some interesting ideas on law trials here: https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/ ... law-trial/

I especially like them retrying the defending scrum-half not being allowed to follow the attacking 9 around the scrum - makes it easier to use a dominant scrum as an attacking weapon instead of a penalty machine. Also like the idea of trying that only people in the lineout can join a lineout maul. Not quite so sure of what removing the yellow for a deliberate knockdown is meant to achieve though.

Puja

[Mikey Brown]

Yeah, it feels like how 'deliberate' is determined is more the problem with that one.

[Which Tyler]

I especially like them retrying the defending scrum-half not being allowed to follow the attacking 9 around the scrum - makes it easier to use a dominant scrum as an attacking weapon instead of a penalty machine. Also like the idea of trying that only people in the lineout can join a lineout maul. Not quite so sure of what removing the yellow for a deliberate knockdown is meant to achieve though.

I don't mind the defending 9 following the attacking 9; but he should stay behind the ball; and the two 9s shouldn't be allowed to shove each other and generally play silly buggers - I'd simply say Free Kick to whoever is on the wrong side of the ball; or whoever instigates it if they're both on the right side, rather than simply not allowing it.

[stevedog1980]

Some interesting ideas on law trials here: https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/ ... law-trial/

I especially like them retrying the defending scrum-half not being allowed to follow the attacking 9 around the scrum - makes it easier to use a dominant scrum as an attacking weapon instead of a penalty machine. Also like the idea of trying that only people in the lineout can join a lineout maul. Not quite so sure of what removing the yellow for a deliberate knockdown is meant to achieve though.

Puja

Happy with the deliberate knock on change. When an innocuous tackle in midfield with no chance of a direct score results in a yellow card, but repeated offside calls within the 5m doesn't, I think it's clear there's a problem to solve. The mandatory yellow card was leaving the referee with no middle ground.

The lineout change I am intrigued by. I like the idea of the maul not exceeding the lineout number, but the only judging not straight throws if the defence competes seems an odd one? Or is that just me?

[Puja]

Some interesting ideas on law trials here: https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/ ... law-trial/

I especially like them retrying the defending scrum-half not being allowed to follow the attacking 9 around the scrum - makes it easier to use a dominant scrum as an attacking weapon instead of a penalty machine. Also like the idea of trying that only people in the lineout can join a lineout maul. Not quite so sure of what removing the yellow for a deliberate knockdown is meant to achieve though.

Puja

Happy with the deliberate knock on change. When an innocuous tackle in midfield with no chance of a direct score results in a yellow card, but repeated offside calls within the 5m doesn't, I think it's clear there's a problem to solve. The mandatory yellow card was leaving the referee with no middle ground.

The lineout change I am intrigued by. I like the idea of the maul not exceeding the lineout number, but the only judging not straight throws if the defence competes seems an odd one? Or is that just me?

Seems like it could lead to shenanigans to me as well. If the opposition looks like they're just not gonna jump, throw it to your scrum-half!

Puja

[stevedog1980]

What constitutes competing? Do you just throw a jumper up immediately and then set as a defensive line to counter maul? Can you just throw a wild massive throw into midfield knowing that nobody can get near it?