Crusaders wary of paying the penalty
The Crusaders are backing their own self-discipline to avoid being lashed by referees as the officials continue their brutal crackdown in Super Rugby Aotearoa.
Refs Paul Williams and Mike Fraser blew 58 penalties in the first round of the new competition last weekend and the Crusaders, who had the bye, are guaranteed to get caned by whistler Brendon Pickerill if they can’t adjust to the breakdown and offside interpretations against the Hurricanes in Wellington on Sunday afternoon.
Rather than be intimidated by the heat generated by the flurry of penalties in Dunedin and Auckland, NZ Rugby referees bosses have told all five teams they are holding firm in their law enforcement strategy to ensure fans are rewarded with fast, free-flowing games and to reduce injuries from ruck cleanouts.
While the Crusaders, who will name their team to play the Hurricanes tomorrow, will be amped to pilfer turnovers under the new guidelines they will also be wary of being forced to get a dose of nasty medicine in return.
When the Highlanders beat the Chiefs 28-27, 11 of the 28 penalties were issued for the ball carriers not releasing the ball. And although the Blues, who beat the Hurricanes 30-20, responded by having first receivers charge possession directly into contact to allow extra support runners to clean out the rucks, they still conceded 16 penalties.
Crusaders assistant coach Andrew Goodman put the onus squarely on the ball carriers; if their technique is clinical, he says, there’s less chance of the referee ruling in favour of an opponent seeking a turnover.
‘‘The ball carrier has to, as he always does, to make sure he wins the collision over the gainline to ensure he makes those race-lines into support much easier,’’ Goodman insisted. ‘‘That is going to be crucial – winning those races on both attack and defence.’’
While openside flankers have welcomed the chance to burgle possession and grab turnovers under the new law interpretations, the danger is the attacking teams could become frustrated and elect to kick more often.
In 2009, when the experimental law variations were introduced, South African teams prospered by kicking more for territory before using their powerful set pieces to assist in grinding out wins.
Goodman said the Crusaders were determined to get their technique right and tap into their own attacking skills. Hoofing the ball away to limit the ref’s influence wasn’t an option.
‘‘Not at all. I think after we have had a couple of rounds it will even out and everyone will get used to the new interpretations, and we will have a free-flowing game. We want to play with the ball, keep it alive. I don’t think you will see too much change.’’
NZ Rugby also wants defending teams to target the jackals by targeting the upper-torso during the clean outs, not the legs, and will punish players who don’t stay on their feet. Players who refuse to enter the breakdown gate, and rush too quickly out of the defensive line, will also continue to feel the wrath from refs.
It’s understood NZ Rugby has spoken to coaches about the high penalty counts in the first round, and the general consensus from all parties was the players need to improve selfdiscipline.