hendrix
Well-known member
My father called them a blight on the game and accurately predicted that they'd feature in most tries in this world cup.
I wouldn't go so far as saying that they should be banned, but I have noticed a massive increase in the advantage the attacking teams with the way it's being refereed. This year we've seen:
- players are able to carry the ball to the back of the maul (should technically be off side) rather than passing it back the way you would in a traditional maul
- players are joining the maul in front of the ball carrier. Again, should be off side.
The consequence of this is that there's no way for a defensive team to isolate the ball carrier, no matter how well executed their defense is.
Moreover, attacking teams can now break off from the maul, and drive forward with players still in front of them. This should technically mean that it's no longer a maul, and a defensive player should be allowed to come around and tackle the player at the back. However, that is currently being policed as off side. Which is wrong.
There needs to be a balance between attack and defense and at the moment there is no way to defend the driving maul.
I wouldn't go so far as saying that they should be banned, but I have noticed a massive increase in the advantage the attacking teams with the way it's being refereed. This year we've seen:
- players are able to carry the ball to the back of the maul (should technically be off side) rather than passing it back the way you would in a traditional maul
- players are joining the maul in front of the ball carrier. Again, should be off side.
The consequence of this is that there's no way for a defensive team to isolate the ball carrier, no matter how well executed their defense is.
Moreover, attacking teams can now break off from the maul, and drive forward with players still in front of them. This should technically mean that it's no longer a maul, and a defensive player should be allowed to come around and tackle the player at the back. However, that is currently being policed as off side. Which is wrong.
There needs to be a balance between attack and defense and at the moment there is no way to defend the driving maul.