Quote ="Him"I know what you mean but I think the wrestling would still happen, I think it’s just a consequence of professionalism and modern conditioning that means clubs have the opportunity to practice the wrestle/control of the tackle more than they used to. Without going back to the amateur/semi pro days I don’t think we’ll ever eliminate the wrestle. I think we can tidy it up, mostly by controlling the attacker at the play the ball, ensure they’re stood up before playing the ball, facing the right way, touch the ball with their foot and don’t step off the mark. '"
You’re probably right but I think the issue at the PTB is as much down to the defenders as the attacker so any steps to clear it up must address both parties.
Quote ="Him"
I’d make a couple of rule changes:
- Alter the held call so that when a player is held the referee controls the speed of the play the ball. Currently there’s no incentive for the defence to hold the ball carrier up because they can then play the ball very quickly. This leads to defences holding the ball carrier so he can’t offload but delaying putting them to the ground for as long as possible, then dumping them to the ground. I think a rule change where defences can actually benefit from holding a player up would both slightly speed the game up and cause fewer injuries.
- change the point at which defences can move up. Currently it’s when the ball carrier touches the ball with his foot at the play the ball. I’d move this back to when the acting half back either runs or passes. It would give the attack a smidge extra time on the ball each tackle, hopefully opening the game up just a little.'"
Doesn’t the ref already control the play the ball with when he calls “held” or “move”? I think this is part of the problem. Players hold down, lock in or clamp the ball carrying arm and don’t begin to move until they get the call. This wasn’t always the case. When I played back in the early 90s refs didn’t make the “move” call. It meant you had to start getting off when the tackle was complete and all players know when that’s the case – they don’t need to be told. Any player if they’re being honest would agree. Anyone not peeling off/rolling away would be penalised without getting a prior warning. I know this could promote more dummy half scooting rugby like Saints in the early 2000s but it’s a better spectacle than the wrestlemania.
