Tactical subs are spoiling the game

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.
この記事は The Rugby Paper の January 07, 2024 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,500 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です ? サインイン
この記事は The Rugby Paper の January 07, 2024 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,500 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です? サインイン

YOUNG GUNS
JACK LIGHTBOWN SALE & ENGLAND U18 TIGHTHEAD

Bordeaux winning the race for crowds, too
Peter Jackson reveals his exclusive club-by-club attendances list for the regulation season in Europe's major leagues
Seven-try England go on the rampage
Georgia U20 ....14 England U20... 43
Massie-Taylor: R360 is not a threat to us
PREMIERSHIP Rugby chief executive Simon Massie-Taylor says does not feel the proposed breakaway rugby, R360, is a threat to top-flight rugby in England.

Questions at No.3 are key for Farrell
PROP forwards of the tighthead variety were not put on this earth to be like everyone else, and by and large - extremely large in the case of the French front rower Uini Atonio, who makes the same impact on population density as he does at the scrum - they continue to do things differently.

Leinster's league win in '14 was right up there
AS A kid, I remember going into Donnybrook, as it was then, and watching Leinster playing and thinking these guys are superstars.

Russell signs on for Gloucester
GLOUCESTER have signed back three flyer Rob Russell from Leinster.
Six of the best from the Toulouse globe-trotters
IT'S happened! As predicted in this column some while ago, Toulouse now have six international full-backs who have started for Le rouge et noir this season in the 15 jersey.

Sir Billy, the man Cardiff ignored
THE Welsh Rugby Union has paid due homage to Sir Billy Boston, acclaiming the sailor’s son they somehow managed to lose more than 70 years ago as 'a trailblazer'.
Baird: I am so proud of everyone
LEINSTER second row Ryan Baird revelled in taking his side back to the top of their domestic league after a tough few years for the province.