Former Springbok assistant coach, Richie Gray, has shared delight at the new breakdown law variations that has been implemented in New Zealand’s Super Rugby Aotearoa competition.
In March this year, World Rugby released a new ‘Law application guideline’ regarding how breakdowns and rucks should be policed and it the new variations are currently being applied in Super Rugby Aotearoa.
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Gray, who was the Boks’ skills and breakdown specialist, said on The Magic Academy podcast the time was ripe for these changes and that it was been welcomed be most rugby doyens he is in contact with.
‘I spoke to a few New Zealand coaches in the week and they are saying, ‘You know what? It’s up to us to adapt. I think everybody is genuinely delighted that these changes have been made. But it’s now down to adaptation by coaches and players,’ Gray said.
‘New Zealand have a great chance because they are going to have two months before anybody else gets to play. They are going to be well down the road when the Test matches begin, hopefully, later on in the year.
‘What we were trying to get away from was the elbow crawl or double roll, with the ball-carrier buying themselves extra seconds.
‘We’re now looking at one dynamic movement and presentation. If you hit the ground as a ball-carrier with some momentum, you can still put a roll in dynamically and present. But when you fall, roll and add another slow movement or put the ball through your legs, it’s all too slow. The whole area is going to have to be far faster on the grass.
‘I’ve said to players, ‘Land, bounce, present’. Or, land, dynamic movement, present. Let’s get it in our heads. Until everybody gets on the same page, there’s going to be quite a few penalties,’ he added.
‘We’re also trying to get away from the supporting player entering the ruck and sealing off. This is a huge change. In some countries, it’s been accepted that incoming players just drop down into the ruck. You have to try and stay on your feet.’
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