Rugby Primer!

The great debate in rugby circles is why the Southern hemisphere sides are consistently superior to those in the Northern hemisphere. We are all aware that the fomer sides play more running rugby and the latter play a kicking game.Here is why the kick and chase game does not convert into winning rugby.

1)Match officials are a lot more vigilant and are strictly applying the offside rule to chasers.

2)Once the fielder makes his way upfield the referees are ensuring that the ball carrier is allowed to play the ball and is not impeded by tht tackler.

3)This results into possession being kicked away and transfered into attacking ball for the opposition.

4)The team that has kicked the ball away will keep some defenders(generally loose forwards) out of the rucks and mauls in order to defend the back field.This means that the forwards are not defending as a pack and the attacking side may decide to keep the ball tight and attack using the forwards.This usually results in the backline players having to make head on tackles on charging forwards.If a successful tackle is made all the attacking forwards are on hand to recycle the ball and launch a new go forward phase.

5)A hopeful punt downfield is most likely going to find a well organised unit ready to counter attack with easily won ball,while the chasers are still trying make up the ground.

Some points that may improve the “kick and chase game”.

1)The kick must be deadly accurate.

2)Use the scrumhalf to kick from the base of the scrum,who is at least 10 meters further down-field from your flyhalf, who is protected, and the pass from scrumhalf to flyhalf takes time.The chasers are futher up-field and are onside sooner.

Rugby is played with 15 players per side.(there is usually 7 reserves/substitutes on the bench).The players are numbered strictly 1-15 as follows.
1-Loose head prop.
2-Hooker.
3-Tight head prop.
4 and 5-Locks.
6 and 7-Flanks.
8-Eighth man.
9-Scrumhalf.
10-Flyhalf.
11 and 12-Centers.
13 and 14-Wings.
15-Fullback.

Errol Ballen