Schools Rugby season kicks off on an interesting note
The first two matches of the schools rugby season suggest some tight games ahead. Kingswood held Royal in a close game for one half, which was marked with much promise. In the next game, DSS who have generally been the bottom seeds, missed beating 'Pathana by a whisker, as the conversion within range was fluffed, and lost 24-25.
Both sides had their share of misery in kicking at goal, and they need to polish up this area, as it could make the difference between winning and losing. Interestingly, DSS kept that ball in play earning penalties, where as 'Pathana were in panic mode. The placekicker was the life of DSS right through the match, but lost when it mattered most. Overall, both games saw more open Rugby and somewhat promise for the spectator who, during the Club season, saw Rugby that lacked flavour. Overall, the game in schools is in the midst of getting accustomed to changes in the laws adopting Under (U)-19 Rugby, taking the Mickey out of more action in scrums, such as the control and push, which in itself is regulated by the need to release ball, once at the feet of the last man and “use it applies”.
Talking to a senior coach, he opined that the U-19 rule will kill Rugby in Sri Lanka. Building of good front row forwards will be lost at schools. They may opt to play less heavy but mobile, forwards. If the question is about safety, the subject that comes to mind is whether the non push puts more pressure on the lower body of young players. What scientific study has been in place to think of the lower body genetic structure of the local athlete? Is this a question for high performance?
The Schools Rugby League 2018 kicked off with Royal playing host to Kingswood. Royal appeared a well rounded team displaying good handling and being quick at the breakdown. It was not a game of the reliance on the forwards and the trademark rolling maul. Dushan Lewke seems to have a mixed bag he can open up and the defending League champs will be a team to watch. One match, however, does not take Kingswood off the books, as they started off showing urgency, forcing Royal to backpedal and make mistakes in the first half. They seemed to run out of steam. Probably the heat sapping them off. The game, in most aspects, seemed more organised with better skills and increased crowd attendance, than what was seen in the past few weeks of Club rugby.
We also saw the use of rolling substitutes in School Rugby, with 25 players named and 12 rolling made possible. The Sunday Times understands has not met the glad of eye of Sri Lanka Rugby who are relying on the letter of the Law. The Law states that a Union may allow rolling substitutes at defined levels of the game. The bone of contention, a schools official explained, is the word "defined", and the union must define it.
Asked whether the Schools did not have discussions with the Union about the tournament manual, they said they have been in contact for around 3 months, and also had a working meeting to finalise the contents of the manual. This meeting was attended by Executive Director Rohan Gunaratne and Marso representing the Union. These are administrative issues that should be resolved. More important is what the 12 constitutes. To my understanding, the changes in the Law include blood replacements and every time a change is made (blood makes it 2 if the player returns), but does not include a front row replacement, when a front rower gets a yellow card.
The important question that needs an answer is, why the need for rolling substitutions. An issue in mind should be that it will change the character of the game. One would be to look at from a point of player welfare and also the current temperature which is around 31 degrees, or more when matches are played. The pivotal issue would be player safety.
Even with increases in awareness and teams reporting concussions, wonder why they are on the rise. When we look at the size of the modern player and brutal collisions comparable to car crashes and recognise and remove in place, will rolling help? If kids are to play safely, we need to acknowledge and act upon its risks is important.
Another issue should be the development and use of players. A prop who wants to play 70 minutes will not balloon to a higher weight, as he will be a liability in loose play. Given that bulky front row will find it difficult to last the 70 minutes, the alternative is to have less bulk, if the players wants to play more of the game. The questions are at what expense this would be. On the other hand, if a coach can roll and have a player in and out and in again, rolling in 20-minute intervals, can the player be used to play explosive Rugby? More work in the gym and less making look an ass in loose play, would help build more giants in the game. Feeding in the scrum -- this is still being ignored and it is an easy one to police. It limits the need to hook, makes it harder to win one against the head and allows other issues in the scrum to be overlooked. Stealing yards in the line- out, either the hooker steps a yard to his side before throwing in, or they stand a full yard on to the pitch to shorten the distance they need to throw. The thin line on sacking, vis a vis the line-out jump and the maul formation, as well as the manufactured penalties.
Vimal Perera is a former player, coach, referee and an IRB Accredited
Referees' Educator