In the ever-evolving landscape of rugby, where strategies and gameplay constantly undergo scrutiny, Warren Gatland, the esteemed head coach of Wales, emerges as a vocal advocate for change.
As we step into the promising year of 2024, Gatland boldly asserts that rugby, in its pursuit of innovation and spectator engagement, needs to reevaluate its approach to kicking.
Recognised for his astute understanding of the game, Gatland unveils a set of proposed changes aimed at enhancing the sport and ushering in a new era of dynamic, fast-paced rugby.
In this exclusive exploration from The Telegraph, we delve into Gatland’s vision and the potential impact his suggested alterations could have on the rugby landscape in the months to come.
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#1. Less kicking
Gatland wrote: “The review also shed some light on what we need to change in the game. We talked about how defence dominates the game, but the biggest thing in the game at the moment which is probably having the biggest influence on performance and results is the kicking game and the kicking strategy.
“That includes the number of kicks by a side, the type of kicks and kicking metres. What has happened is that the middle part of the field has become the area where no side wants to be turned over, particularly if the concession is a penalty at the breakdown, whether it is for a player not releasing, going off his feet or in at the side of a ruck.
“Through the World Cup in France, the team that registered the most kicking metres enjoyed roughly an 80 per cent win rate.”