Jonathan Davies Lions rant led to World Rugby rule change – 'Dreadful spectacle'
Several of the concerns he voiced following the Lions' second-Test loss to South Africa four years ago remain relevant today, with the Lions presently on tour in Australia. Critics argue contemporary rugby places too much emphasis on territory kicking rather than attacking play with ball in hand.
However, BBC pundit Davies, who earned caps for Wales in both union and rugby league, was particularly scathing after the Lions suffered a 27-9 defeat to South Africa in Cape Town. The former fly-half's harsh words focused on the excessive reliance on kicking in the modern game.
"As a spectacle, it was just dreadful," he said on commentary (via Wales Online). "There simply wasn't a viewing experience. The worry is it's just going to turn people off from watching the game.
"The general supporter who follows the Six Nations and the Lions, will they sit down and watch that kicking, kicking, kicking? I don't know if they will. And will kids want to take up the game if you are not going to see the ball on the wing or at outside centre?
"There was a stat I saw about the two 13s on Saturday. They made two passes between them! World Rugby need to look at making some changes, as the box kick and air battle is dominating the game." Davies has been very vocal about his distaste for the level of kicking in rugby (Image: © Huw Evans Picture Agency)
Those observations spark a fascinating discussion about sport's fundamental purpose, with sides ultimately competing to secure victory whilst many supporters crave entertainment above everything else. However, World Rugby has responded to appeals for enhanced pace and match quality by implementing rule modifications in the years following Davies' observations.
Perhaps most significantly, the 50:22 regulation was introduced to incentivise players attempting riskier kicks deep into opposition territory, per The Mirror. This alteration also means sides must position additional players in deep cover, creating greater attacking space with ball in hand further up the pitch.
Additional adjustments concern game tempo, with a kicking timer and line-out countdown implemented to accelerate overall play. That's alongside the 'Dupont Law' being abolished, meaning offside players must now completely retreat to be deemed onside.
"It's all about not losing games at that level," added Davies in his diatribe. "It's about playing in the right areas, gaining territory and forcing errors. The problem is teams are not committing many players to the rucks and those they do commit to them are there to slow the ball down. Certain concerns around the volume of kicking in rugby union still persist on the current Lions tour (Image: ©INPHO/Billy Stickland)
"Then, all of a sudden, you have a defensive wall and you can't break it down. If you have got 13 players spread across the field, it's going to be difficult, isn't it? If you have got slow ball, you are going to kick because defences are so good. So it's now turned into an aerial battle. That is what the game is all about now."
Drawing on his experience across both codes, Davies highlighted rugby league as an example union ought to follow. In response, he urged the authorities to adopt a more rapid approach when implementing rule changes.
"In rugby league, if there is need for change, they do it straight away, they don't take two years to do it," he added. "If they think the game will be improved, they will do it very quickly."
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