Is it just me?

It’s been 3 years since I left the Dragons, and I’ve not had any direct rugby involvement since, so it was lovely to join a local rugby club online last Saturday for a rugby chat. It was mostly reminiscent stuff, and it’s always nice to look back at some good times. As they say, the longer you’re retired the better you were, and it’s been a while!

Then came the question that threw me, and that lead to this blog – “What were my thoughts for the 6 Nations?”. I surprised myself with my answer and have reflected on it subsequently.

You see, without all the things that make this historical event such a magnificent staple of the rugby calendar, such as the biannual trips, the habitual match day out meeting up with old friends, the atmospheric grounds or the rugby club gatherings, it will just be rugby stripped bare, albeit with a touch of ‘showbusiness’ from the accompanying coverage.

And the truth is as far as I’m concerned, that rugby is not very ‘pretty’ at the moment. It is too often turgid, formulaic and unentertaining. Something has gone wrong with our beautiful game and it needs saving.

Through a combination of poor governance and law making, an uncontrolled evolution in the interpretation and application of some laws, the focus on strength and physicality that in many ways is a by-product of these first two factors, and a seemingly standard approach to playing, it has simply lost its way.

This has all adversely affected its spectacle, and more worryingly its safety, both of which will undoubtedly combine to deter both participation and viewing figures if not addressed.

At the heart of the problem is the lack of space and what’s become known as ‘the breakdown’. You won’t find a heading for it in the law book, but it is a truism. It’s a breakdown in flow, enjoyment and ambition, and it does nothing to attract defences and create space. Many forwards though, are never happier than when they’re ‘going around the corner’ from one breakdown to the next, hitting the deck at the slightest contact and setting up the next phase, a yard at a time, yard after unambitious yard, phase after boring phase. When the ball is released, agoraphobic backs seek contact and safety among the masses, not least because space is such a rare experience in the modern game. Defence is certainly king.

Then again the term ‘Ruck’ is still in the law book, and just read that section if you want an example of where I’m coming from. Apparently, players must have their heads and shoulders no lower than their hips in the ruck, they must bind on a team mate or opponent and stay on their feet, and not intentionally collapse a ruck. I remember it this way! It’s why we used to go to the tackle area in numbers and try to win or maintain possession.

This being the case though, how did we ever arrive with the Greco wrestling shambles that we now witness going unpunished in almost every ‘breakdown’ in every game?

Ahead of the ‘ruck’ though and just after the tackle, there’s a split second, if that, when a defender can ‘jackal’ for the ball. This sees a player in a static position and bent over almost double, routinely being cleaned out by onrushing 20 stone colossuses. There may be an ongoing debate about concussion related dementia and its foreseeability, but ‘jackaling’ is an accident waiting to happen for sure. Give me a good rucking anytime in preference.

And whilst on the subject of safety, a few more observations.

Why are defending players routinely allowed to run obstructing lines in front of opponents who are chasing a box kick or up and under? The timing of the challenge for the ball in the air is absolutely critical to player safety, so why countenance allowing anything that interferes with this?

And what is worse than having to tackle a twenty stone player? Answer, tackling two twenty stone players, a scenario that is apparently legal when players ‘latch on’ to combine their weight and power ahead of making contact with a tackler. This is a ridiculous scenario.

Some may say double tackles should be similarly outlawed, but attackers have choices as to how they engage with defenders. However, a lone tackler has no such choice and just has to tackle whatever is coming at him.

But back to the 6 Nations, with the best players and the best coaches on show. Will it be more of the same, just an elevated war of attrition and prevailing of the strongest, a mix of rugby tennis and box kicks, until a penalty is won, a resultant line-out gained in the corner and the ball shoved up the jumper until it’s muscled over the line?

Or will there be innovation, pace, continuity and excitement?

I really hope it’s the latter, but either way, the absence of any of the usual match day distractions will undoubtedly illuminate the fare on show.

Please prove me wrong 6 Nations. So many of the things we love are under threat, and rugby needs its own shot in the arm. Or is it just me?

44 Replies to “Is it just me?”

      1. I’m not a technical specialist so I read your notes with interest and fully support the points made. I wanted to add to this….Something else that doesn’t help is the timing of the international games in the N Hemisphere – autumn games in November and 6 nations in Feb/March. Weather is too often too cold and wet for enterprising rugby and also affects the stadium atmosphere. When was the last time you saw a sea of white at Twickenham for example? World Cup warm up games…
        I would like to see 6 nations start in March and autumn matches in October. I also think the clock should be better managed, too much time wasted resetting scrums and other areas giving east opportunity for gamesmanship running down clock. Why not make tries worth 6 points of reduce value of penalty kicks?

        1. Sorting the global rugby calendar, whilst protecting player welfare is a huge challenge Dave, and I know it’s a regular discussion point with all the Unions.

          As for reducing the value of a penalty or increasing that of the try, unfortunately both would encourage offending. There’s an argument for going the other way!

        2. The global rugby calendar is a constant discussion point for all the Unions and a difficult one to balance so that everyone is happy and player welfare protected.
          The problem with reducing the value of penalties and increasing that of tries is that it would encourage offending – so there’s an argument for going the other way.

        3. Yes your right rugby should bypass the winter months if they cant do it at professional level then they should do it at local level.. It would not affect cricket season or anything as nearly all the local rugby teams have their own pitches.
          Playing in better weather will promote better skills and also help clubs with more footfall. Likely to walk over for a pint in the sun. This is what annoys me about WRU they haven’t tried nothing.. Nothing at all.

    1. Stuart I’m glad someone with your status has noticed it has become dire. I was an academy player myself so I believe I have a valid viewpoint.
      There are faults right through from academy level for a start you don’t even play much rugby if you get into these academy’s so how on earth is that good for development. Secondly all I see these days is youngsters pumping iron this does not promote skills and you can see the skill level in celtic league is miles behind southern hemisphere..

      Moving onto celtic league when regional rugby was brought I believe it was to enhance the game and may of initially had that effect but with hindsight the the Welsh Town tribalism was underestimated. Neath joining swansea etc I just don’t think it should of been done. Leaving out pontypridd was criminal also. Another factor is that it has ruined the local economy for match days at such towns I remember 8000 people being in Neath could you imagine the trade at pubs, hotels, shops, food places that has been lost due to this across all the rugby towns in Wales..
      The game isn’t exciting anymore I totally agree with you I miss being a youngster watching Neath down the gnoll they seemed like giants back then with many characters.. Maybe the game wasn’t meant to turn professional.. I miss the tear ups within reason, I miss the loose game I hate that modern players are giving a script and they must stick to it. And to cap it all off I just haven’t seen the wru try anything new and thats the saddest thing of all or offer any solutions.

  1. Cracking article. Rugby is boring at pro-level – I thoroughly enjoy semi pro because there’s more space and there’s less player standing around time! Since lockdown originally started, nearly a year ago now, NRL was the first sport back. I have always loved NRL, but when union came back it was boring – even the aotearoa wasn’t as great as I was led to believe – not the games I caught anyway! I really hope that the 6 Nations is worthwhile, excited for the Calcutta Cup match the day before Wales v Ireland, I hope I don’t feel let down – by the result or the game being rubbish!

  2. Excellent piece Stuart. I agree with every single thing you have mentioned, as do so many of my rugby freinds. I hope you don’t mind me sharing on facebook.

  3. Stuart, being a 70s player, i agree with all you’ve written on this subject. So many of my friends, like me have left rugby behind because the game is boring. Apparently rugby in the southern hemisphere is a lot more entertaining, yet same rules.

    1. It seems to have resonated with a lot of people Peter, although it’s also sad to have confirmation of people walking away from the game. Good point about the southern hemisphere game in comparison, and that perception does exist.

  4. Great article Stuart, spot on!
    And the less said about the Scrum situation the better!! 2/3/4 minutes to complete a scrum, especially if the ospreys are playing and supporters paying ridiculously high ticket prices at international level to ‘watch’ this. They go on about players being fitter and stronger but I think some of them would struggle to play back in my/your time Stuart! Watched a recent game on DVD, not VHS! where scrums were over in LESS than 3 seconds and line outs not much more, with proper rucking as well! Lots need to change to get back to the game we love and bring back the excitement! NB- back rows have to stay though 😄

      1. Hi Stu, just read your article and I have to say I totally agree with what you have said, its about time the the governing bodies address this sorry state, and perhaps we can then go back to enjoying the game both you and I were so passionate about when we played , hope you and your family are keeping well mate
        Regards Hitch

        1. Hey Hitch, good to hear from you. All ok here and hope same with you. There certainly seems to be a lot of agreement from ‘our generation’ of players. I don’t think it’s a load of old guys harking back to an era with their rose tinted glasses on, but a genuine belief that the game has lost its way. Cheers, Stu

  5. With you all the way Stuart. As a one-eyed Scarlet, running into space is what I want to see, not sticking it up the jumper and bish-bashing to order from the coaches.

  6. I grew up watching the likes of Clement, Titley, Simon Davies (obviously they’d been able to run around due to the monumental work of a great pack😉)
    The game is so different now. Players not interested in creating something from nothing, due possibly to being brainwashed into staying in certain ‘zones’ where’s the ambition there?
    Robert Jones’s passes helped many a winger get on the try sheet, whereas nowadays a number 9 plays like an extra ball carrier at times.
    A dour Pro14 hasn’t helped with not much idea of who’s playing at what time. No one wants to fork out extra on their Sky subscription for an obscure channel with kick off times that don’t suit.
    18 years since regions were formed and the fixture lists don’t throw up more than the derbies to raise any excitement.
    Do some players actually know the game anymore? Gym monkeys seem to be lauded until you see they can’t catch, pass or offer angles of support.
    Very saddened to see the modern game as it is.

    1. Great open field runners mentioned there Rob, although Clem wasn’t averse to ‘dropping the shoulder’ either! As for Jonesy, pure class. Some great wider points made as well.

  7. Excellent, Stuart. Have watched rugby throughout my life – was in College with Gareth Edwards et al in Cyncoed – the skill level was amazing. My late husband, Graham Davies played for Cardiff so rugby has been a big part of my life. I have to say I don’t really enjoy watching rugby anymore – tackles have become ‘hits’ and skill levels have deteriorated – as you say there is so little space and unless you have a magician like Shane Williams tries are much harder to score – I don’t get the buzz I used to get when watching. (Incidentally Shane covered up some shortcomings in the Welsh team – they wouldn’t have won some of the matches without him ) Lack of spectators has shown how dire some of the play is – there is no distraction – no hiding place. Thank you for your comments.

    1. Hi Patricia, thank you for your support and response, although again in some ways it’s sad to hear of someone else lost to the game. That’s why World Rugby have such a duty to protect the game. It’s not too late, but they need to act soon, and then hopefully you’ll return to watch some more like Shane. And he was amazing!

  8. Stuart 100% agree with your points on the ruck the current laws are definitely more dangerous and also slows the ball down.
    You have to admire the skill level to retain the ball for 30 plus phases but it’s not going to exactly be a draw for youngsters to play and watch the game.
    Agree also about the so called tactical kicking, there are some exceptions but more games seem to follow a script.
    Bring back rucked with the boot and stop kicking between 22 and 10 metre lines.

  9. I’m a rugby manager at a local championship club ( Ystalyfera rfc ) been in the game all my life but the last 3/4 years I’ve seen massive changes, the only thing keeping most in the game at our level now is the love of your local club, your friends within it and family, not many are interested in the regions anymore which is very sad, rugby has gone stale and if massive changes aren’t made soon it will die, I don’t think we’ve seen the affect this pandemic has caused yet, many local clubs might fail to return, will we see villages combine into one as a lack of players interested ?

    1. Interesting to read a perspective from the community game Damian, and there’s a lot of shared concern about how that is being affected by the modern ‘style’. Fond memories of a game against Ystalyfera with the All Whites very early on in my career.

  10. Hi Stu, just read your article and I have to say I totally agree with what you have said, its about time the the governing bodies address this sorry state, and perhaps we can then go back to enjoying the game both you and I were so passionate about when we played , hope you and your family are keeping well mate
    Regards Hitch

  11. All correct Stuart but in the long run will the powers that be realise what’s happened or will the whole game just peter out and end up a minority sport with nobody of any note playing anymore. What a tragedy that would be. I don’t think most of them see what’s obvious to us but are more interested in money and “not losing”. I know I’m going to be as frustrated after sunday’s match as I always am these days. It’ll be “slow, slow, slow” instead of “quick, quick, quick”.

  12. spot on Stuart the only players that I have enjoyed watching this year have been the Cardif half backs who are willing to keep the tempo high and take the game to the opposition…similar to the 2005 Grand Slam winning Welsh team. Let’s hope under Steven Jones guidance they willbe selected and play the same way. I loved the way Japan played in the RWC they kept the ball recycled quickly and were very entertaining. Why can’t we do the same.

    1. Good point – Japan were an absolute joy to watch and a breath of fresh air. It was also clear the first time I saw Tomos Williams that he was a class act – very big future ahead.

    2. Japan were a breath of fresh air and a joy to watch. You have a special pair of half backs at the Blues and Tomos Williams had class written all over him the first time I saw him play – big future ahead.

  13. Excellent article Stuart – and spot on. Much of the top end of the game – particularly in the northern hemisphere – has become unwatchable. More worryingly most of these boys are heading for wheelchairs when they reach 50 – given the force and regularity of those collisions. And I’m with you. A good shoeing at the ruck – especially when it came from yourself, Dick or Maurice – never harmed anyone!!

  14. Really agree with your opinions here Stuart. Another poor situation is the crooked feeding into scrums.
    Some years ago, a strike against the head was a great opportunity to attack.
    Nowadays, the ball is just fed into the second row.
    Scrums just aren’t a contest.

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