Is rugby going soft?
Discussion
No, it isn't.
Everyday I pop on to rugbydump.com to have a look at the latest hits and punch ups, and every other comment is something along the lines of 'nothing wrong with that', 'rugby's going soft' etc etc.
But I'm sorry - these people are wrong!
Rugby has changed since 1995, that's for sure. The game is a different animal, but softer? I think not.
The introduction of yellow cards enabled previously unpunishable crimes such as high-tackles etc to be assigned a level of severity.
Referees in the professional era have had to apply the rules more vigerously, but this surely can only be a good thing?
Rugby players are now fitter and much, much tougher. Brawls in the 1970's were a part of the game, but the fights have moved from throwing punches to who can put in the biggest hits, again, no bad thing surely?
A game between Englands 1991 Grand Slam Champions and this years 6N's squad would be an embarassing whitewash, with Will Carling and his men being left strewn across the Twickers turf.....
In short - I'm enjoying rugby now more than ever - it's a fantastic game to watch, play and understand....
Everyday I pop on to rugbydump.com to have a look at the latest hits and punch ups, and every other comment is something along the lines of 'nothing wrong with that', 'rugby's going soft' etc etc.
But I'm sorry - these people are wrong!
Rugby has changed since 1995, that's for sure. The game is a different animal, but softer? I think not.
The introduction of yellow cards enabled previously unpunishable crimes such as high-tackles etc to be assigned a level of severity.
Referees in the professional era have had to apply the rules more vigerously, but this surely can only be a good thing?
Rugby players are now fitter and much, much tougher. Brawls in the 1970's were a part of the game, but the fights have moved from throwing punches to who can put in the biggest hits, again, no bad thing surely?
A game between Englands 1991 Grand Slam Champions and this years 6N's squad would be an embarassing whitewash, with Will Carling and his men being left strewn across the Twickers turf.....
In short - I'm enjoying rugby now more than ever - it's a fantastic game to watch, play and understand....
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