The great rucking debate
Italy tactic may lead to change in regulations We would have handled it, says Ireland’s O’Brien
World Rugby could step in after Italy breakdown row
World Rugby is to consider whether it needs to review the laws governing the breakdown following Sunday’s controversial Six Nations match between England and Italy at Twickenham.
There was no formal complaint from the Rugby Football Union yesterday, even though England head coach Eddie Jones made his views on Italy’s tactics stridently clear in the aftermath of the 36-15 victory, when he stated: “This was not rugby, and if it was, I am going to retire”.
Italy confounded their heavily fancied opposition by refusing to contest rucks, exploiting the regulations that allow an opponent to be among the other side’s players if a tackle (and not a ruck) has been indicated.
World Rugby constantly monitors trends in laws and their usage and will be moved to discuss the matter to see if there is need to activate the Law Clarification Process, which could lead to referees being instructed to take a different were in agreement with their head coach that something ought to be done. “It is a pretty ridiculous rule and we all echo Eddie’s thoughts,” said scrum-half Danny Care, who found it a strange experience to be up against his former coach at Harlequins, Conor O’Shea. “Conor has gone from most attacking man in rugby to the most negative in one game.”
There is no doubt that the ploy baffled the England players throughout the first half.
“All the bad stuff happened and it rattled us and put us off our game,” said flanker James Haskell. “It didn’t feel like a normal Test. I only cleared out three people in the match and so physically I didn’t feel the same. It was just a bizarre afternoon. I haven’t played rugby league so I haven’t experienced that before, but I have played sevens where it does happen.
“I did try to ask the referee what he wanted to see and he misinterpreted it [what I was asking]. I wasn’t asking what the rule was. I was asking what he needed to see at the breakdown. I wanted to know who [of the opposition] we could take into the breakdown if they were standing off or if we could scatter ruck.
“Teams come here and put on their best performances and Italy certainly did that. It is called a Test match for a reason and we were tested. We expect the same against Scotland.”
Several people believed that England ought to have dealt with the situation much better and more readily than they did, with Ireland flanker Sean O’Brien stating that he was sure he and his team-mates would have known what to do.
“Yes, absolutely, stick-it-up-thejumper stuff,” said O’Brien, with reference to one antidote to the ruck-less ploy, a simple pick-and-go by the forwards.
All Black assistant coach Wayne Smith felt that England could have exploited Italy’s tactic, turning it back on them, and does not believe there is any need to alter the laws.
“It is not an anomaly, just a shock tactic that a team might use now and again, but if you became predictable by doing it you could be cut to bits,” Smith told Fairfax Media in New Zealand. “It is a roll of the dice in many ways. I don’t think it requires a law change.”
England are well aware of the threat that Scotland will pose after their home victories over Ireland and Wales. Even though Scotland have not won at Twickenham since 1983, there is a real sense of momentum behind their championship challenge and England know that they will have to be on their mettle.
“Scotland were comfortable winners of that second half against Wales and blew them away when they got opportunities,” said Care. “They will be full of confidence and come down here thinking that they can win. We know we have to perform better.”