New breakdown trial law not well-received.

This is how it was described last year:

•    Law 15: Tackler must get to feet then can only play the ball from his side of the mid-point of the breakdown; Tackler assist or first arriving player may play the ball as long they join from an onside position
•    Law 16:
–    Breakdown is formed when an attacking player of feet is over the ball on the ground, from this time no players may play the ball with their hands.
–    An off side line is created “hindmost foot 1 metre.
–    Arriving players may join from onside as long as they join their side of the midpoint (no gate).
–    No players may have their hands on the ground, or players already on the ground. A player in the half back position may play the ball

http://www.planetrugby.com/news/nz-to-trial-law-changes-in-domestic-competitions/

Paul Lewis in the the NZ Herald:

Let's hope what might be called the 'Richie Rule' - the new breakdown laws being trialled at Mitre 10 Cup level - never go any further because they may spell the end of one of the great strengths of New Zealand rugby.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/rugby/news/article.cfm?c_id=80&objectid=11701055

I read that, and I'm not sure I really understand what they want to achieve.

Sounds like they want to prevent everyone diving head first in towards the ball at every ruck and instead to make the ruck more of a pushing contest whereby the players have to move the opposition out the way to secure the ball.

I can see some of the appeal from a player safety stand point as fewer players would be in a position of having their heads below their hips (or even knees) and then being whalloped by some one flying in, and it would also be an attempt to stop rucking being the digging with your hands competition it seems to be at the moment.

No sure it would actually be all that great though. Sounds difficult for a true competition for the ball to ensue and sounds like it would be easier to retain possession than it is at the moment.

Let's hope what might be called the 'Richie Rule' - the new breakdown laws being trialled at Mitre 10 Cup level - never go any further because they may spell the end of one of the great strengths of New Zealand rugby. wrote:

What, cheating ?

I was watching the game yesterday, and the amount of cynical play New Zealand were getting away with was criminal.