Quote:Royalsfan
His opening comments were 'congratulations to Italy, strategically they were smart today'.
But of course in certain quarters there is an agenda so people pick out words and use them selectively.
You can understand why Italy did what they did, and it was effective for a bit but ultimately failed.
Heaven help the sport if it becomes the go to way for teams to play....
Quote:Shropshire HughQuote:Royalsfan
His opening comments were 'congratulations to Italy, strategically they were smart today'.
But of course in certain quarters there is an agenda so people pick out words and use them selectively.
You can understand why Italy did what they did, and it was effective for a bit but ultimately failed.
Heaven help the sport if it becomes the go to way for teams to play....
I would suggest it ultimately succeeded. They didn't get stuffed by 80 points. Good job
Quote:Shawshank
The main problem with the tactic is that it will encourage defending teams to put no-one into the ruck and then their 'lazy runners' will be 100% onside. Not a good spectacle for anyone.
Quote:Lambo
It may be my poor memory, but I'm sure I recall a time a few seasons ago when Irish didn't compete at some line outs with very similar effect to what Italy did today in the 'rucks'. The oppo catcher came down with the ball and looked a little bewildered at the lack of attention. Sadly for us the ref was a little bewildered by it all too and it didn't work for us. Clarification welcomed.
Quote:DrV'sHairyCraic
Italy s mistake was to have their players flapping like a dimmented wasp.
Quote:Romain Poite
I'm not a coach I am a referee
Quote:waltham
In today's Times, Ben Ryan claims to have been one of (or maybe the first) to use this device in 1981 against Fiji 7's ..and won having (of course) briefed the ref in advance that they would be doing this. According to the same article the tactic has been widely used in Super Rugby as well.
Quote:Margin_WalkerQuote:waltham
In today's Times, Ben Ryan claims to have been one of (or maybe the first) to use this device in 1981 against Fiji 7's ..and won having (of course) briefed the ref in advance that they would be doing this. According to the same article the tactic has been widely used in Super Rugby as well.
Ben Ryan must have been a very talented 10 year old...
Has been used by the Chiefs in SR, but only sporadically. Never every phase like here