https://t.co/iwaFGAnHUg
Thought this view was good
Very interesting if a little over wrought :-) I think it does support a couple of issues that I've had with refs, firstly, it would probably be a good thing to have some ex props as refs...as an old prop, much of first class reffing of the scrum is at best coin flick territory and secondly, when the writer says this:
But the ruck – always the ruck – was a total muddlement.
‘Am I in the right position here; was that actually a tackle, yup, his knee hit the ground but was he held; no, yes; now, has the tackler released; has the ball carrier let go of the ball; has the tackler now rolled away; is the jackler supporting his own weight
I have, firstly, read the Laws, I have also watched the WR video explanations and seen from lots of SH games showing how it could be done.
Firstly, making quick and decisive decisions seems to be a good way forwards alongside very clear "ref coaching" calls of "Tackle" "release" "roll" and especially "ruck" make the breakdown clear to those involved in the tackle and those who are joining them.
It is too often the worst mess - virtually any Prem game will demonstrate - clear parts of the Laws like "no hands" in a ruck are ignored too often with refs allowing continued competition, post ruck forming and this all slows the ball down and makes defence a better option (often). It also makes rucks more dangerous for the players. Especially when basics of binding on entry are ignored and "clearing out" allowed (This is required if you allow hands in rucks of course...)
It's my big bug bear of reffing (offside aside) both of which influence the pace of the game and to a greater extent (in my view, anyway) the way play is incentivised. If you can slow ball down and get defensively aligned - you don't need to have possession as much. England showed this in the RWC QF vs Aus (and since) where England won, convincingly in the end, off 36% possession. And it's partly why England kick the ball into the opposition's 22m/10m as a first option.