The aerial narrative that 'crybabies' failed to get across the line
Springbok assistant coach Felix Jones said a narrative, with little factual basis, failed to gain traction at World Rugby’s Shape of the Game conference in London because the numbers told a different story.
Before the London gathering, the usual ‘crybabies’ suggested the scrum should be depowered, the maul should be outlawed and they even wanted ‘shepherding’ (obstruction) to be brought back in for aerial contests.
However, the outcome was that there would be #NO significant law adjustments before the next World Cup, in Australia next year.
Jones, speaking at a South African Rugby Union media day in Cape Town this week, admitted the aerial issue came up in some conversations.
However, the conclusion is that banning ‘shepherding’ is justified because aerial kicks create more space to attack and lead to more tries.
“The numbers are pretty conclusive from what we’ve seen, particularly at Test level, that scrums aren’t actually increasing,” Jones told the media gathering at SARU’s Plattekloof HQ.
“It actually came up once or twice, a couple of discussions around the contest in general and the aerial contest, actually, in London at Shape of the Game.
“And the overwhelming sense was that it’s been great.
“It’s actually opened up the game, [and] it’s created more dynamism.”
* (WATCH as assistant coach Felix Jones explains why the usual ‘crybabies’ failed to get a narrative across the line at World Rugby’s Shape of the Game conference in London….)
The Bok assistant revealed that outlawing ‘shepherding’ enhanced the game, because it led to more linebreaks and tries.
“It’s been correlated with more linebreaks, [and] more tries, which obviously everyone loves to see.
“The thing is now, when you see a contestable kick, nobody gets bored.
“I think everyone actually has a sense of anticipation that there’s going to be some athletic contest to win the ball back, and then usually a dynamic piece of play thereafter.
“The great thing in London is seeing how people were buying into the idea that every single aspect and part of the game is contested – the breakdown, scrum, maul or an aerial contest.
“That is one of the unique aspects of Rugby Union that we need to keep driving and checking ourselves on.”
He added that while attack coaches enjoy the possibilities created by these situations, defensive systems are constantly being tested.
“Attack coaches love it, and defensive coaches have to apply their minds.
“Teams are adapting as well – some are kicking longer to avoid those contests, while others are finding new ways to compete for the breaking ball,” he said, using a GAA term.
Jones also believes that aerial kicks will affect team selections going forward.
“It’s exciting as well because I think skill sets are getting stretched.
“I think tactics are being changed.
“I think selection has to be considered, maybe slightly differently,” he added.
“And there’s always a positive and a negative to whichever way you want to approach it.
“Some could say that’s negative.
“Other people say that’s like an offload in the air, how exciting!
“So I think a lot of it is down to how you view it and how much you want to buy into it and see the positive.”
“The shape of the game with contestable kicks definitely makes it more open and unpredictable.
“That’s what people want to see.”
@JanDKrugby
@rugby365com
* Also from this week’s media briefing …
The reason why SARU will show a rare profit
‘Global season won’t happen without compromise’
Tony Brown’s ‘magic potion’ for out-of-sorts Sacha
Why South Africa and New Zealand will never host a World Cup again
