Rugby too complicated, say players

Air New Zealand Cup players say rugby is too complicated to referee. Photo / Getty Images

New Zealand's top rugby players believe the game has become too complicated, according to a survey released this week.

Skysport magazine asked an undisclosed number of Air New Zealand Cup players a variety of questions surrounding the game and published the results in their November issue.

A major criticism rugby fans have with the game is the different interpretations by match officials, and the players seem to agree with 65 per cent of respondents believing rugby is too complicated to referee.

Among the other burning issues in the game, 70 per cent of the players questioned said they want the New Zealand Rugby Union to stick with 14 teams in the Air New Zealand Cup and a whopping 98 per cent want to see rucking back in the game.

The survey also threw up some surprising results among the individual categories, with Cardiff-bound Canterbury centre topping the votes in a number of categories.

The two-test All Black was voted the hardest tackler, most under-rated player and best centre by his peers, ahead of current All Black midfielders Conrad Smith and Isaia Toeava.

There were also surprise winners at halfback and lock, with Canterbury's Tyson Keats and Sam Whitelock named the best players in their respective positions.

All Black Dan Carter edged out his skipper Richie McCaw as the best player in the game, Manawatu first five-eighth was the pick of the new talent for 2009 and Ma'a Nonu just pipped North Harbour's Chris Smith for the biggest sook.

The players voted Canterbury's Rob Penny as the best coach in New Zealand, ahead of Graham Henry, Mark Anscombe and Dave Rennie, while the majority of players would least liked to be coached by Wellington's Jamie Joseph.

- NZ HERALD STAFF