Rugby: Emphasis back on style

The Waratahs have been told to follow their own anthem and Sanzar's edict to play entertaining rugby. Photo / Getty Images

Super 14 teams on both sides of the Tasman are being told to play more attacking rugby, writes Michael Brown.

The Waratahs have an official club song.

Among the lyrics are, "We play the game as it should be played, famous when we run the ball, we can scrum and ruck and maul, playing the game as it should be played".

It's somewhat ironic, as last season the 'Tahs were accused of doing the opposite.

They scored just 241 points in 13 games - the third least of any side in the competition - but still finished fifth on the table.

Interestingly, they would have made the playoffs ahead of the Crusaders had they scored one more try.

Last week, the ARU issued an edict for Australia's Super 14 sides to adopt a more expansive and attractive style of rugby. It was similar to the one released by the NZRU late last year.

Style, it seems, is arguably more important than substance as rugby tackles the Bore War. Rugby has heard the cries that the game is losing fans and credibility and is trying to correct the balance.

The Air New Zealand Cup has enjoyed a renaissance but Super Rugby has a battle to win back fans after crowd and TV ratings slumped significantly over the past couple of seasons.

Figures released after the 2008 season showed a 25 per cent drop in the average audience in two years and Australia reported a similarly sorry tale.

Viewing figures on Fox Sports dipped below 100,000 for each game in Australia, while attendances at Waratahs games were reportedly down an average of 3000 per game.

"Reds, Waratahs, Brumbies, Force ... we've all sat around the table and looked at the reality of where crowd figures have gone and where the game generally is at," ARU chief executive John O'Neill said last week.

"I think we've hit the bottom and every one of the four teams is determined to deliver winning and entertaining rugby."

NZRU chief executive Steve Tew held similar discussions with the New Zealand franchises, telling them he hoped an entertaining product in the Southern Hemisphere would then prompt the Northern Hemisphere nations to adopt a similar approach, resulting in a more appealing worldwide product.

The Home Nations, though, have never shown much interest in this, especially as they watched the helter-skelter of Super Rugby in its infancy.

"It's a great initiative," Blues coach Pat Lam enthused. "We have a huge responsibility to ensure our game is entertaining and remains at No 1 in this country because we are in a competitive marketplace. I know the five New Zealand franchises will take it on board.

"But it's not just the coaches and players who have to take a positive approach. Referees, media and administrators have to play their part, too."

Lam said they met international referee Bryce Lawrence to discuss the four law changes introduced to this year's Super 14 and referees' interpretations of those.

The main ones are around the tackler releasing the ball carrier and getting to his feet before challenging for the ball and a move away from the "kickathon", as Lam described it, that the ELVs encouraged.

"These changes will enhance the game," Lam said. "Entertainment and excitement are important but the bottom line is winning and these rule changes will allow you to win playing attacking rugby.

"The way it was before, you were encouraged to play a more negative game."

Former All Black Ian Jones didn't think much would change from New Zealand's five Super 14 teams.

"Most of the coaches would probably shrug their shoulders and say that's the way we want to play anyway, given the nature of Super Rugby and the athletes we have in New Zealand," Jones said.

"I'm not sure the coaches will be changing the way they play the game just because of this. People just want to see good, solid rugby in which any team can beat any other team - just like we saw in last year's Air New Zealand Cup."