Part of what makes rugby such an exciting game is the various ways in which teams can attempt to score.
It is not all about tossing the ball around and hoping to get an overlap on the wings. Set-pieces play a huge part, be it from scrums or line-outs. Each teams has a different approach to the game, something that always adds a bit of extra intrigue.
However, some believe major changes should be made to fundamental aspects of the sport.
Speaking to Stuff.co.nz, former All Blacks coach Wayne Smith said that he would like to see driving mauls removed from the game.
I don’t like the driving maul as part of the game.
There are six or seven forwards in front of the ball. There is no access to the ball. It is legalised obstruction. I would get rid of it entirely.
You could do it very easily by changing the laws so that if the attacking team chooses to kick a penalty to touch inside the 22, then the other team gets the throw-in.
This seems like a crazy suggestion. Driving mauls are a huge part of the game and certainly add to the excitement for spectators. There is nothing quite like the roar of a crowd as the home team attempts to drive the ball over the whitewash after a well-executed line-out.
As you might imagine, this suggestions has gone down like a lead balloon.
Wayne Smith hammered for bizarre rule change suggestion
Wayne Smith has a huge amount of experience in top level rugby. Having lined out for Canterbury and New Zealand in his playing days, he has gone on to craft a lengthy coaching career.
He coached the All Blacks at the turn of the century, also having three stints as an assistant coach with the side. Most recently, he led the New Zealand women's team to World Cup glory last year.
For someone with so much knowledge of the game, this seems like a crazy suggestion.
Former England hooker Richard Cockerill felt that is was no coincidence that this suggestion came at a time when New Zealand was struggling in this particular area of the game.
The game is the game, isn’t it? We can all play the same way, or we can all play slightly differently.
Generally, the teams that moan about the maul are the teams that aren’t very good at it.
English rugby is built on set-piece – the good club teams have a good set-piece. National teams have good set pieces, whoever they are.
If we have an advantage in the maul, we should take advantage of it. It would be stupid not to.
He wasn't the only one to laugh off the change.
Harlequins prop Joe Marler was among those that took to social media to share their opinion on the matter.
Wayne Smith ‘it’s unfair they players pass backwards and away from my players stopping them getting the ball. They should pass forwards or offer the ball to my team, and offer them a complimentary foot rub at the same time’. Give it a rest Wayne.
— William Frome (@william_frome) February 16, 2023
Don’t ban the driving maul.
*Referee* the driving maul. https://t.co/t1by6Hdd17— Andy McGeady (@andymcgeady) February 15, 2023
I hate it when coaches come up with this especially when it’s a big name like Wayne Smith.
Mauls are unique to rugby and one of the many skills teams can use to score.
Not every try has been run in with a sexy backline move Wayne. pic.twitter.com/6KjHBrBtr4— Jared Wright (@jaredwright17) February 15, 2023
Wayne Smith can do one…. Scotland have been battered by Driving Mauls over the years and I still don’t believe this should be stopped.
Could the refs stop the players sliding back? Absolutely and that would make it more difficult.
But it only works in the right areas and lastly https://t.co/dtYqrPnRRA— All Blaze No Glory (@AllBlazeNoGlory) February 15, 2023
@theblackjersey_ , please tell what on earth is Wayne Smith on about
— Juve Power (@JuvePower2) February 15, 2023
Hay fuck these guys let's just play touch rugby now. https://t.co/nGtmgfDJv5
— Minister Yombane (@Lloydbhudda) February 15, 2023
It's a good job no teams Wayne Smith coached scored tries from rolling mauls?
It would be hugely hypocritical if say the black ferns scored twice from rolling mauls to win the world cup?
This tripe is as regular as clockwork - 6 months out from a WC.https://t.co/fTA5h1bHPm— thedeadballarea (@thedeadballarea) February 15, 2023
As pointed out above, Smith had no trouble utilising this method of scoring when it suited him.
While some people would clearly like to see it removed from the sport, there is very little chance that the driving maul is going anywhere anytime soon.
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