How do you solve the bad name that English rugby, and rugby in general, picked up thanks to the Dean Richards, Tom Williams, Harlequins, Bloodgate scenario?
With rolling subs of course. Now why didn’t I think of that?
Oh yes, because I have some sense. However it seems the RFU haven’t. A working committee investigating the bloodgate case has suggested, amongst other things, that the Guinness Premiership introduce rolling substitutions, with subs able to come on and go off at any time.
What next – players only coming on for kicks at goal? For defensive moves and attacking ones? Remind you of another game?
And in case that isn’t enough questions what on Earth sort of logic follows that when one team is caught cheating they should change the rules to allow everyone to cheat rather than simply enforcing the rules that are in place? Following that logic we should allow gouging because Schalk Burger got wandering fingers during the British Lions tour.
Such a system also makes squads more important – even more rewarding teams with bigger squads and so more money. In the GP that will mean needing to raise the salary cap.
And what about the end game… players being tired leads to mistakes, gaps and tries, by having rolling subs that will happen less. It will also mean that having a yellow card is less debilitating as you can keep fresh players moving on and off, stopping the tired factor that defending as 14 men brings in even if no points are scored in those 10 minutes.
It is all just part of the epidemic of people deciding to change the rules. Aussies play badly or have bad audiences? Change the rules. Refs finding the breakdown difficult? Change the rules (to make them more confusing). A team or two cheats? Change the rules so everyone can.
Next week the RFU will be suggesting 10 point drop goals because Johnny is back playing
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