Sanjay's Rugby World

Assistant coach of the Springboks, Gary Gold has performed an in-depth analysis of the refs in the first round of this year’s super 14.

A copy of the article can be found on Gary’s rugby page.

Interestingly there were 2 local derbies in each country, and the penalty counts varied significantly when compared to the other match also in the same country. Are the refs being consistent? That for me is the biggest problem in rugby. It’s not that one ref is good, or one bad, it is the fact that they can differ so vastly from 1 game to the next, the poor players don’t know how to play.

That is the aim of these new law interpretations, but it’s silly to think players cannot concentrate fully on simply playing the game. They have to worry how the ref is going to handle the game, and that is not good for the game.

A great example was the game between the Sharks and Cheetahs in round 2. I thought Jonathan Kaplan was quite average, and after he was replaced at half-time by Pro Legoete the way the game was handled changed significantly.

Gary also discovered that 73% of the penalties in week 1 were awarded to the attacking side. Whilst this is a change SANZAR wanted, I don’t believe it is healthy for attacking sides to know that they are unlikely to be penalised unless something extreme happens. Both sides should be able to compete for the ball, and I’d probably prefer a 50-60% average for the attacking side.

All the talk ahead of the 2010 Super 14 has centered around the interpretation of the breakdown.

Will the opensider flanker be rendered useless as refs have been instructed to ‘favour’ the attacking side?

Whilst I”m not a real fan of the new interpretations, favouring a more even approach where the ball can be contested between both sides, and 1 side cannot monopolise possession without displaying the skill of ball protection.

I do however believe there will always been a case for the true openside flanker. His role may change slightly, but you always need a tearaway flank that plays to the ball, and can either win you turnovers or slow opposition ball down. Even if only for a split second.

Here Springbok forward coach, Gary Gold from Rugby IQ analyses Heinrich Brussow at the breakdown during the Springbok European tour in 2009.

Brussow is a great example of a genuine openside flanker, and whilst he may not win as many turnovers this year, his role is just as important as ever. It’ll change the way flanks play the game, but those that are successful will adapt to the new interpretations and the ‘gang tackle’ may become back in vogue with one person being the primary tackler and releasing the tackled player, while the second player can effect the turnover.

It promises to be another exciting season and I’m sure Brussow will be once again be one of the top flankers in 2010!