Dobson: The one law that rugby must get rid of
John Dobson’s Stormers hold one of the most undesirable records. The team most often held up over the tryline.
The Stormers’ Director of Rugby, Dobson, is fit to be tied about a law he believes should be removed from the game.
His comments came ahead of a trip to Dublin and a URC semifinal face-off with defending champions Leinster.
According to World Rugby Law 22, when an attacking player is held up over the try line, it results in a goalline drop-out for the defending team.
Previously, this scenario resulted in an attacking five-metre scrum, but the law was changed to reward defending teams for stopping the ball from being grounded.
The Stormers have expressed immense frustration with this law, given the sheer number of times they were held up over the line across multiple matches.
In their 44-21 United Rugby Championship win over Cardiff in Cape Town at the weekend, Stormers captain Ruhan Nel and replacement scrumhalf Stefan Ungerer were held up over the line.
In their 27-28 loss to Toulon in a Champions Cup Round of 16 face-off, a critical try was denied when lock Adré Smith was ruled held up over the line.
Other examples include their 10-24 URC loss to the Lions in Johannesburg back in February, when the Stormers were held up over the tryline three times during the match.
Against Zebre, back in October, they were also held up twice, the lock, Smith, one of those.
The Stormers boss, Dobson, was chagrined when it was mentioned that his team had the ‘record’ for most times held up over the line.
With more than 60 percent possession and territory against Cardiff, the Stormers were not lacking opportunities.
They racked up 12 entries into the Cardiff 22 in the first 65 minutes alone.
However, their finishing fluctuated, despite the heavy final scoreline (44-21), with multiple promising entries resulting in turnovers.
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“That has been our whole season,” a visibly perturbed Dobson said when asked about the number of times his team has been held up over the line.
“That’s the one law in rugby that has to change.
“I’m not saying that just because it’s against us.
“I just don’t understand this concept.
“You do so well, and you’re rewarded with receiving the ball back on your 10-metre line.
“The old law was much better. If you attack well, [you win a ] five-metre scrum.”
Stormers captain Ruhan Nel, when asked when the ‘held up’ law was called when he grounded the ball on an opponent’s knee, was equally disturbed.
“It’s frustrating,” he said, adding: “My arms were free, I just happened to put it down on his knee.
“Obviously, it is very disappointing, but in the same breath, it’s encouraging.
“You’re obviously getting into the right spaces.
“I think that was the frustration after they got that intercept try because we’d come a little bit loose, and then that’s the result of it.
“It’s frustrating, but also encouraging. Just get the flippen thing down.”
“It is funny. I’ve never been part of a season where we’ve been held up so many times.”
@JanDKrugby
@rugby365com
