I'm convinced that the benefits would be seen almost instantly if we cut the bench in half so that there are four substitutes, instead of eight. The game needs shaking up and that's a decent shake-up. We would see more skill, more fitness, and more tries. It challenges everyone to raise their attacking game, and takes away the biggest contributor in weighting the modern game in favour of defence.
Gatland argued recently that South Africa's 'bomb-squad' bench which now features seven forwards and just one back - was not what the replacements law was introduced to do, because their strategy means that now your forwards only have to play for 40 minutes.
Rugby union used to be about trying to fatigue the opposition forwards to the extent that gaps appeared in defences and led to more attacking opportunities. Now, with coaches being able to change over half a team through replacements, who come on the pitch bursting with energy, while those who been on from the kick-off are tiring, it is stacked heavily in favour of defence.
Cutting the number of replacements is a contentious subject, with many pros and cons. If I'm South Africa I don't want anything to change, because we're dominating world rugby - and the power of our bench has helped to secure two World Cup titles in succession.
If I'm New Zealand I have always believed that we have the biggest number of skilled players of any nation, and we are keen to utilise our depth of players with great skill-sets against teams of lesser ability. For instance, our fifth-choice blindside would probably get in the England team, and it would be the same at scrum-half, centre, and wing.
So, my guess is that South Africa and New Zealand will probably want to retain the current status quo of eight replacements.
Esta historia es de la edición January 07, 2024 de The Rugby Paper.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición January 07, 2024 de The Rugby Paper.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
England can find a little bit of cheer
SO HERE we are on the final day of England’s autumn international series with all of us hoping and expecting Steve Borthwick’s team to win today after three weeks of bitter disappointment.
Stop messing with Marcus - Campese
DAVID Campese believes England are going backwards under Steve Borthwick, who is ‘messing around’ with talisman Marcus Smith.
Being a Lion was the highlight of my career
I PLAYED 19 games and scored 219 points for the Lions, on the tours to South Africa in 1968 and New Zealand in 1971, but I never played in a Test and that was fair enough.
Cook's crew not fazed as they eye tilt at top half
THERE appear to be few signs of second season syndrome at Westcombe Park as captain Nick Cook reveals the group aren’t even contemplating the threat of relegation and are instead targeting a top-half finish.
Forwards pack a punch for the Reds
OLD Redcliffians produced a proud defensive effort to take a bonus-point win.
Tom 'Ailes' the achievements of inspirational skipper Riley
SEDGLEY Park No. 8 Tom Ailes says his team relish the competitive nature of National One and is confident the Tigers can rectify their rocky start to the season in weeks to come.
Strachan confident Ampthill will be firing again soon
FRASER Strachan is determined to put Ampthill’s leaky defensive showings behind them and gain some much needed confidence in the run up to Christmas.
It's a whole new ball game for Rigg
WILL Rigg’s ambition was to become a professional cricketer but it is the oval ball rather than The Oval that is his driver now.
Scarratt leads the way for Lightning
LOUGHBOROUGH won a wet and windy East Midlands Derby after having the bonus point in the bag by half-time.
Becconsall: We need to release pressure
WILL Becconsall says Exeter are not spooked by the threat of relegation as they look to turn around their Premiership campaign after starting with six straight defeats.
