THE TIMES REPORTS

New laws win vote of approval as cup starts
Lewis Stuart



Experimental laws designed to speed up rugby won a vote of approval after their first outing in Scotland at the weekend, though several of those involved noted that there will be stiffer tests to come.
Speaking after Boroughmuir had come from behind to snatch an eight-try thriller at Glasgow Hawks, both coaches, the referee and most players believed the rule changes had worked in bringing about a faster, more fluid match.



There were three main areas of doubt. First, these two teams play high-octane rugby anyway so how much the spectacle was down to the rules and how much down to them relaxing in the less-pressured environment of the Scottish Hydro Electric Super Cup is impossible to tell. Secondly, there were serious worries that the pace of the game will exclude traditional front row forwards and the slower players, ending the days of rugby as a sport for all shapes and sizes.

Thirdly, David Wilson, the Hawks coach, thought the new ruck law had been “a bit of a mess”. He added: “I think it will change. Our guys say they felt they had to play at 100mph but you don’t have to. I thought the breakdown was more of a hindrance than an improvement, though.”

Those doubts aside, the general view was surprisingly positive. Rob Dickson, chosen to referee the first high-profile match under the experimental laws, thought that once the teams worked out how to protect their ruck ball, it produced a much faster, more open game.

“It takes you back to the days 20 years ago when the Scottish forwards would drive hard and low over the ball to lay it back,” he said. “And I think the maul is dead and buried, teams want to control the ball so they will take it down themselves rather than risk the other side taking it down. My impression is that the skilled ball players made more of themselves, I found it hugely enjoyable.”

Stuart Reid, the Boroughmuir coach, was equally enthusiastic. “I was knackered just watching it, it was so fast,” he said. “The comment in the changing room was that they got their hands on the ball more and they want more of that. The guys enjoyed it, it is a type of game that seems to suit us, all the players get a chance to run and handle.”

His sentiments were echoed

This article was posted on 8-Jan-2007, 08:45 by Hugh Barrow.