New rules will change bench role
New rules will change bench role
By Bret Harris
February 04, 2008
THE experimental laws to be introduced to Super 14 are likely to create a faster game with an increased amount of time with the ball in play, most coaches think.
As a result, players are expected to become more fatigued, particularly in the last 20 minutes of the game. But many coaches may be reluctant to go to their bench because of the restrictive rules that govern the use of reserves.
One solution is to adopt rugby league's interchange system. In the NRL teams are allowed 10 interchanges a game, whereas in rugby union once a player is replaced he cannot come back on, except if a front-rower is needed so scrums can continue.
"We need to get to an interchange situation as they do in the 13-man game," Australia and Crusaders coach Robbie Deans said. "At the moment, coaches are loath to replace players because once they have been replaced they can't come back on.
"If you get injuries and the game is a bit faster, you are going to be very vulnerable if you end up being a man down.
"The way we approach the management of the bench needs to be changed.
"That will be a good outcome because everyone works just as hard, whether they are starting or coming on.
"They all train as hard and it would be good for reserves to have access to be able to play."
Apart from this one concern, Deans is an enthusiastic supporter of the new laws, designed to promote attacking rugby.
The new laws include: not passing back to the 22 for a kick out on the full; throwing the ball backwards from a quick lineout; standing five metres behind the scrum in defence and awarding more free-kicks than penalties for infringements.
Deans said teams that were prepared to take the initiative would gain from the new laws.
"I believe we will end up with the ball in play for a little bit longer," Deans said. "I believe the game will be faster. We'll see more tries scored.
"And the reason for that is there is now an ability for teams to initiate play where, in the past, we had to wait for re-starts.
"Whoever takes the initiative, that's what the game is designed to do.
"Ideally, a good game, no matter what code, is a game whereby attack has scope and teams that play constructively and seek to attack are rewarded.
"Where I think we saw at the World Cup teams preferred not to have the ball. It doesn't make for a very great spectacle."
While Deans believes rugby will retain its varied bodyshapes under the new laws, he suspects the nature of certain positions could change.
"Changes in positions is going to be one of the most fascinating areas for me," Deans said.
"In the past teams have had the ability to distribute the ball. The Crusaders have had three pivots at 10, 12 and 15. It makes a big difference in your ability to attack. With the new laws around the scrum it is a lot easier to gain forward momentum with the extra five metres available to you so you get in behind the defensive line.
"That's the feedback we've received from our forwards. They have felt the stress at having to get back behind the defensive line.
"Whether that profits the team that has distributors and can run all day or whether that profits teams with big midfielders, who may not be as good as distributors, but it is easier to get to the outside channel so their lesser skill set might be adequate.
"Look at South Africa. The suggestion has been that it may compromise them, but I also think when they've got position they can rumble forward whereas when you've had a backline on the gain-line it's been harder for them to be effective.
"I'd like to think that with the increased amount of time in play with the ball that it will reward those who have skills."
Hoiles perfect shape for variations
Hoiles perfect shape for variations
By Wayne Smith
February 04, 2008
STEPHEN Hoiles is about to discover how much truth there is to all the hype about him being the Australian player most likely to flourish under rugby's new laws.
The experimental law variations have taken away some of the rigid structure from the game, especially the ruling that for all offences other than offside, foul play and not entering the ruck "through the gate", a free-kick, not a penalty is awarded. With the kick-for-touch option effectively removed, most teams are taking quick taps to exploit broken defences.
Seemingly, the law amendments were written with Hoiles in mind. At 98kg, he is by no means a battering ram number eight in the mould of a Wycliff Palu or David Lyons but still a formidable size nonetheless. Pace and the power aside, he is a highly skilled and elusive ball-runner and, as well, the man most likely to support a line break.
But while in theory this all adds up to a breakthrough season for Hoiles, at the moment no-one knows for certain because he will not play his first match under the new laws until Friday when the Brumbies travel to Levin for their final pre-season hit-out, against the Hurricanes.
"You'd like to think the new laws will open up the game and suit a more mobile backrower like me but the fact is I haven't even played a game under them and haven't even seen too much of them either," Hoiles said. "They seem to put more onus on players to play what's in front of them, not just making line breaks but supporting them as well."
It might seem a little strange to be talking of this as a possible breakthrough season for Hoiles, when he played in all 12 Tests last season to take his tally of caps to 15.
Yet in only two, against South Africa in Sydney, when he was named man of the match, and the Bledisloe Cup match in Auckland a fortnight later when his rushed pass from the back of the scrum to All Blacks halfback Brendon Leonard was the sad turning point of the game, was he in the run-on side.
What particularly hurt was that he was given only four minutes off the bench at the bitter end of the World Cup quarter-final against England, this on a sweltering day in which the Australian forwards were being smashed.
Hoiles, 26, doesn't want to dwell on the fact that he was virtually unused by John Connolly in the two physically toughest Tests of 2007 (he was given only one minute against the Springboks in Cape Town) but the pain of being held on the bench has sharpened his determination to win a starting spot under coach Robbie Deans.
Certainly Hoiles' Brumbies coach Laurie Fisher has no reservations about the multi-skilled backrower.
"I do think we can use him a lot better now," Fisher said. "There are plenty of backrowers who can run hard but not too many who can make good decisions with ball in hand."
The faith Fisher has shown in Hoiles almost certainly will be repaid this year, with the former Waratah hinting he intends to re-sign with the Brumbies.
"I want to stay in Canberra and I want to be involved in the next World Cup, so all going well I'll sign on for another couple of years with them," Hoiles said.
Queensland also looks set for some good contract news with former Canberra Raiders captain and Maroons Origin representative Clinton Schifcofske, 32, indicating he was likely to play out the remainder of his career with the Reds.
Given that 80 per cent goalkickers are a rare breed indeed, that's just what new Reds coach Phil Mooney wants to hear.
