History Of Rugby

THE INTERNATIONAL Rugby Board (IRB) has blundered. Its well-intentioned zero tolerance policy towards players’ frenzied footwork clouds the shrouded state of play at the breakdown because it fails to address the real problem — the timeless cynicism of defenders willing to throw their bodies between ball-carrier and support in a bid to pinch possession or slow it down sufficiently for a defence to reorganise. Last weekend, New Zealand’s Richie McCaw muscled on to the wrong side of contact on the first three breakdowns. On the fourth, his fellow back-row forward, Chris Masoe, manipulated himself between ball and English support.

Throughout the sport’s history, the attacking team has used the feet of the pack to peel them away from the contact situation while serving a few reminders that heroic cheating comes at a price.

Andy Robinson leapt out of his seat, threw both arms in the air and let out a huge roar of 'Yes.'

Captain Martin Corry blew out a huge sigh, Lewis Moody fairly cackled in delight, Joe Worsley clasped his hands in prayer and Robinson made a point of embracing each player as they disappeared down the tunnel.

Dubbo Kangaroos junior president Michael Dodd believes the Australian Rugby Union is taking the right steps to compete with rugby league as the premier football code in Australia.

On the back of ordinary performances abroad from the Wallabies, rugby league officials including NRL chief executive David Gallop have lashed out at the ARU's lack of attention on junior development.

While the NRL has had a history of attracting talented rugby union players through its more lucrative market, in recent years the ARU has been accused of resorting to recruiting crossover players from the NRL competition to fill the backline of its national side.

It has been speculated that a more effective junior development program would be a more resourceful long term solution, but Dodd says those steps are already in place.