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Bunce delivers warning over new rules
By DAVID LONG - Sunday News | Sunday, 10 February 2008
Bunce delivers warning over new rules - New Zealand's source for sport, rugby, cricket & league news on Stuff.co.nz
All Blacks great Frank Bunce is worried new laws may do more harm than good to the game.
The Super 14 will embrace eight of the experimental law variations this season, which should make the game much faster as teams look to take quick tap kicks when given free-kicks.
While that may make the game flow better, Bunce is concerned it may detract from some of the fundamentals that the game is based on, like a powerful pack being able to grind out wins.
"I hope we're in for an exciting Super 14, because it's time for a change and people are still disillusioned with rugby in general," Bunce told Sunday News.
"These rules are pretty good and commonsense so hopefully we do get the ball in play more.
"But what I am worried about though is it becomes a game of sevens or league, so it's just a festival game and thrown around just for the hell of it.
"I don't want the Super 14 to become like that."
Bunce one of New Zealand's greatest midfield backs over the past 20 years believes that while it's not ideal to move Dan Carter to 12 for the All Blacks this year, it may become a necessity unless someone puts their hand up during the Super 14.
"There's a bit of talk about Dan Carter playing at second-five. We all know that he started there but whether they move him back out there is another matter when he's the best No 10 in the world," Bunce said.
"Moving him there should depend on who we have coming up at 12 and how the other No 10s do.
"I don't think I'd have him there myself. But it may be a case of having to until someone puts their hand up.
"It's going to be a huge opportunity for someone. Maybe Anthony Tuitavake because he's able to play 12 as well as 13. But we've lost Aaron Mauger, Luke McAlister and Sam Tuitupou, so there's a real big hole there.
"They could also try Isaia Toeava. It's a position he can play but whether it's his preferred position I don't know."
Meanwhile, Bunce predicted Blues new recruit Benson Stanley as a possible bolter into the All Blacks this year.
"They could have a look at Benson Stanley. Grant Fox was telling me he's worth looking at because he's a real up-and-comer. He's just come back into rugby after a few years off studying. There's pretty big raps on him."
As for who will win this year's Super 14, Bunce can't look past the red-hot favourites.
"I'm picking the Crusaders. It's Robbie Deans' final year. It wasn't a Crusaders-like performance in last year's Super 14 but it wasn't entirely their fault," he said.
"But they've got a good mix and have a nice blend of up-and-coming players and older heads.
"The Hurricanes and Chiefs are up and down and the Blues are always capable of shooting themselves in the foot."
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