Laws: Tackle Watch
The tackle is such a big issue at the moment – the burning issue in rugby. But then it has been a burning issue for many years and looks likely to remain so.
Now that referees have been told to do what they should have been doing and apply the laws at the tackle, there is much talk about the tackle.
Fortunately in the SANZAR countries there has been a buy-in by all role-players. The coaches said what they wanted and the referees agreed. It was after all what the Laws of the Game want. Then the commentators have bought in and are careful to explain the law many times and there is no more of this “pedantic” nonsense, “killing the game”, “letting the game flow”.
In fact the game is flowing better so far this year because the ball is coming more quickly from tackles. Because it is usable ball, there is far less kicking. (That is helped by greater vigilance at the offside law at a kick, which encourages counterattack.)
This may not be true in all Six Nations matches where the ball is still slow from tackles and so is kicked or shovelled onto a pod of forwards to make it slow again.
If a referee at a tackle says “Let go it. Let go. Let go now”, it is too late – far too late. The infringement has happened and the ball has been slowed up, allowing the perpetrator to achieve what he wanted to and escape punishment at the same time.
There is a school of thought which says that a referee should in fact say nothing at all. All top players know exactly what the law is. If they do not of their own initiative comply they should be penalised.
It is not a bad school of thought.
For the referee to call once something like Ruck or No hands as the tackle is happening is fair enough – especially the call ruck as players involved may not be aware that a ruck has indeed formed. But repeated calls to let go, leave it and roll away are counterproductive and exactly what the law does not want.
There are important aspects to applying the law – identifying what phase of play is happening (just a tackle or a ruck) and then identifying the first infringement. That requires great concentration. Watch the best referees at the tackle and they are up close and alert till the contest for the ball is over.
As a matter of interest we are looking at the count for tackle penalties from Six Nations and Super 14 matches.
Super 14, Round 1
Blues vs Hurricanes: penalties conceded 25, tackles 16
Western Force vs Brumbies: 19 penalties conceded, 13 tackles
Cheetahs vs Bulls: penalties conceded 15, tackles 8
Crusaders vs Highlanders: penalties conceded 13, tackles 8
Reds vs Waratahs: penalties conceded 23, tackles 11
Lions vs Stormers: penalties conceded 20, tackles 12
Sharks vs Chiefs: penalties conceded 23, tackles 14
Six Nations, Round 1 & 2
Ireland vs Italy: penalties conceded 18, tackles 7
England vs Wales: penalties conceded 17, tackles 10
Scotland vs France: penalties conceded 15, tackles 10
Wales vs Scotland: penalties conceded 19 , tackles 7
France vs Ireland: penalties conceded 18, tackles 8
Italy vs England; penalties conceded 23, tackles 12
Totals:
Super 14
Penalties conceded : 128 (7 matches – 18 per match)
Tackles : 82
Tackles % of penalties: 64
Six Nations
Penalties conceded : 110 (6 matches – 18 per match)
Tackles : 54
Tackles % of penalties: 49
There are fewer penalties for tackles in the Six nations, perhaps because of greater compliance by the players, perhaps because of greater leniency by referees. Whatever the reason, the Super 14 has produced quicker ball and more running.
The Six Nations has produced 21 tries in six matches, the Super 14 30 in seven matches. The treatment of the tackle may be just part of the equation.
As a matter of interest, this is how the kicking went.
Kicks by team
Six Nations, Round 1 & 2
Ireland vs Italy: 49 + 38 = 87
England vs Wales: 41 + 34 = 75
Scotland vs France: 51 + 24 = 75
Wales vs Scotland: 22 + 32 = 54
France vs Ireland: 31 + 31 = 62
Italy vs England: 44 + 40 = 84
Super 14, Round 1
Blues vs Hurricanes: 20 + 25 =45
Western Force vs Brumbies: 33 + 31 = 64
Cheetahs vs Bulls: 17 + 28 = 45
Crusaders vs Highlanders: 18 + 22 = 40
Reds vs Waratahs: 21 + 27 = 48
Lions vs Stormers: 12 + 30 = 42
Sharks vs Chiefs: 40 + 40 = 80
Totals
Six Nations: 437 in six matches
Super 14: 364 in seven matches.
Even taking into account the exceptional weather conditions in Durban which could be seen as one reason for all the kicking, it is obvious that there is much less kicking in Super 14. Maybe it is the speed of the ball from tackles that makes the difference.
