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Rucking remains an option but a dangerous tactic in rugby because referees get twitchy about boots near bodies when vociferous crowds are baying about foul play.
The skill of rucking had disappeared in the modern game, International Rugby Board referees' chief Paddy O'Brien conceded, because fewer players went to the breakdown and had been taught different ways of clearing possession.
"It is a skill that has been lost and there are many reasons for that," he said. "But it is still in the law book as long as players carry out their obligations properly."
Team styles and coaches' mindsets had removed almost all rucking as sides were encouraged to stay on their feet and wrestle for the ball at the breakdown.
But rucking was still a valid option at the breakdown once tackler and tackled player were out of play.
O'Brien would not make any guesses about a change in style to accommodate rucking in the future though he did accept that the breakdown area was still a blight on the game.
Rucking has received some lurid reactions with notorious cases involving the All Blacks and injuries to J.P.R. Williams and Phil de Glanville high on the list of incidents which have encouraged moves away from rucking and sterner scrutiny from match officials.
But the anomalies remain, like Irish flanker Alan Quinlan treading all over Rodney So'oialo in full view of referee Mark Lawrence and touch judges in the weekend test at Dublin, and no action taken.
Quinlan and All Black prop Tony Woodcock have since been cited over the incident.
Woodcock faces a charge of striking with the fist against an unspecified Irish opponent. He was sinbinned following the incident in the 43rd minute. Quinlan, Ireland's blindside flanker, was charged with stomping on So'oialo late in the first half.
"Rucking could come back in and I think the chances will improve if players stay up on their feet," said O'Brien.
"Everything in there happens so quickly, though, that officials need to be right in there." Especially with the all-seeing television eye and slow-motion replay component offered to viewers in the warmth of their lounge or the bear-pit verbal volleys of their local pub.
O'Brien acknowledged the breakdown issues and the idea put forward by the All Blacks that two referees might help to solve some of the problems caused by the increased speed of the game.
In response, he said there would be massive logistical problems in finding two like-minded referees to control matches. There was merit in all suggestions but finding cohesion between referees was one obvious obstacle.
The IRB wanted to simplify the breakdown and thought a proposal to allow hands in the ruck would assist but that did not find agreement with the Six Nations or Sanzar countries. The global rugby rulers remained open to any suggestions to clean up the area.
