It used to take Barry John approximately 12 seconds, 14 on a slow day, to complete his kicking routine from the moment he was thrown the ball and even with a suet pudding of an old leather ball he didn't do too bad in New Zealand back in the day.
It absolutely should not be 60 seconds, which is being allowed this autumn, from when the team deign to indicate a shot at goal to the referee. The pre-decision faffing around has become an art form in its own right and can take 30 seconds or longer, especially when a team in card trouble are cynically trying to run down the clock. They have it down to a tee and they think we don't notice. You just can't trust the beggars! Players will take an eternity to rise from whatever situation or incident has ensued, shake themselves down, dust themselves off and then look around in a sort of mock bewildered way. A physio or medic might rush on, the referee will say he isn't needed and then somebody will 'helpfully' throw the ball away which further delays matters.
One of the attacking team might then shape, perhaps for a quick tapped penalty, before thinking better of it and there will be lots of shouting and gesticulating while the team's main dead ball kicker will start eyeing a distant touchline.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
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.