Time to dock points from drop goals

[frontrow]

EXACTLY

[travelling_gerry]

Its also unimaginative.......

[NeoGirl]

for every drop the opposition kicks against us - their cheeleaders must remove one peice of clothing!

Can this place get any more sexist?

All for the one point thing

[Happy]

it's punishment NeoGirl .. I don't want them to do it ... honestly

[Darren]

I've just been checking stats, and checking all tier 1 games where a team has lost even though they had a higher try count. Interesting results - seems if a team is to be a top rugby nation, it's a 'skill' they must have.

Team - Games won off the boot
England - 28
South Africa - 14
Australia - 13
New Zealand - 13
France - 7

[Flat-top]

You are correct it is a skill teams must have to succeed at the highest level.

I can accept there are alternative views on the value (both in points and in merit) of a DG but counter-arguments are lost on me when they come from a basis of "I don't like them so therefore they are bad, unskillful and not worthy to be part of the game and anyone who doesn't agree is clearly wrong". I find that when trying to make a contribution to a discussion your point is better received if you try to rationalise your viewpoint and not simply state that you don't like it therefore it shouldn't be allowed.

They have have always been part of the laws of Union, I accept they are more common than in a previous era but that doesn't make them wrong.

Of course it is a form of attack, it may not be a version that everyone
supports but that does not make it any less of an option. To profess that teams that employ this are in any way less skillful is also nonesense.

Of course it can be defended against, pretending otherwise is naive, if that were not the case then the figures Coach has posted above would be even higher.

Now where I do have some sympathy is in how failed DG's are treated. I do think some consideration should be given to changing the law that requires a failed DG to be subject to a 22 restart. The problem is that if an attacking team kick a ball from the halfway line into the opposition half and it goes over the deadball line the ref calls a scrum from the kicking position but if a failed DG was taken from the same spot a 22 drop out is awarded and the defending team effectively have to give possesion back to the team who just failed in their previous attack. Awarding a scrum in that instance to the defending side would deter teams from taking the DG option without more care as they would effectively be giving up possesion if they fail to score.

The reason we enjoy this great sport is partly down to the fact that there has to be team work and tactics, forwards need to do the business up front but backs equally have a role to play, the combination of all skills and options allowed within the laws is what makes Rugby Union better than other sports...IMHO.

[Flamethrower]

Now where I do have some sympathy is in how failed DG's are treated. I do think some consideration should be given to changing the law that requires a failed DG to be subject to a 22 restart. The problem is that if an attacking team kick a ball from the halfway line into the opposition half and it goes over the deadball line the ref calls a scrum from the kicking position but if a failed DG was taken from the same spot a 22 drop out is awarded and the defending team effectively have to give possesion back to the team who just failed in their previous attack. Awarding a scrum in that instance to the defending side would deter teams from taking the DG option without more care as they would effectively be giving up possesion if they fail to score.

What he said

[Shaun]

Was just watching "Total Rugby" and they had a whole section on drop goals in the context of the RWC. Apparently there have been 92 succesful drop goals in the competitions history. They said that a drop goal is an enormous risk that is suitibly rewarded. I agree.

[no.8]

I am enjoying this we are discussing rather than ranting.

Happy mate in my memory I cannot think of many snap drop goals like the one Morne Steyn popped over against the Wallabies last. I remember an absolute beauty scored by the best number 8 ever (IMHO) Zinzan Brooke in 1995 semi final at Newlands against England. He kick it from the halfway line at sea level!

The drop goal takes great skill. It is that tough that our friends who play AFL don't do it anymore.

You watch Johnny Wilkinson's drop goal in RWC '03 it was a complete team effort. To the points where the closest Aussie Stirling Mortlock was miles from the ball. The English had a controlled drive after drive and gave Johnny 20 metres space behind the ruck. Text book. Like FR, FT or anyone else who has had the chance to play with someone who can kick, it was great feeling to know you had done your bit to create that 3 points and perhaps the win.

Like a try you can get a bit of individual brilliance with a drop goal (Morne Steyn's first one) or you can have a team effort (Morne's 2nd). Think of his first like Gavin DiBartollo's try against the Sharks in year one when he raced down the wing, chipped through, slid over and gave the sea of blue the cross of success. The second was like Zorro's try against the Hurricane's (no explanation given as I assume you know which one).

It's brilliant that a Jonathan Davies, Rob Andrew, Hugo Porta or a Rudolf Streuli can add that bit of extra to a teams attacking arsenal or not if the defence is good enough.

My favourite was Stephen Larkham's drop kick that put Australia into 1999 World Cup final against South Africa. A moment of individual brilliance and then he did more against France.

[Flat-top]

Totaly agree with your analysis of the JW Dropgoal in RWC'03 though my anti-English genes wouldn't allow me to use that example in any posting that may be resurected in the future and used against me

My favourite is David Humphreys for Ulster against the Ospreys to win the Magners League Title the season before last.

[chook]

I am enjoying this we are discussing rather than ranting.

Happy mate in my memory I cannot think of many snap drop goals like the one Morne Steyn popped over against the Wallabies last.
Like a try you can get a bit of individual brilliance with a drop goal (Morne Steyn's first one) or you can have a team effort (Morne's 2nd).

Poor old Francois is being robbed of his celebrity. Morne is dining out on his cousins skill. Poor lad.